Daring to dream as goals evoke memories of Bergkamp

With each passing week that we remain unbeaten, it’s becoming ever more of a struggle to keep our feet on the ground. I’m constantly repeating the mantra ‘let’s see where we are in a month or two’, before daring to predict any impending relief from eight barren seasons of this silverware-starved era.

Nevertheless, you don’t need to be a football pundit to appreciate the impact of the Gunners blossoming confidence since the arrival of Mesut Ozil.

The inexorable rash of last-minute spare tickets that we’ve grown accustomed to seeing offered in recent times, has fast begun to evaporate, in inverse proportion to the number of begging requests from returning glory-hunters.

Yet after securing our pitch astride the Premier League summit for yet another week, by beating Norwich on Saturday, courtesy of some of the most breathtaking goals that we’ve witnessed since the days of Dennis Bergkamp, I must admit I’m beginning to dare to dream.

Even if this should eventually prove to be another false dawn, we’ve not savoured such a blindingly brilliant sunrise, since those heady days of a decade or so back and there’s no mistaking the puff-chested swagger of all those in North London who can’t help themselves from preening with this renaissance of Gooner pride.

It felt like more than just a coincidence that Bergkamp was all over the media this past weekend, promoting his new book. Dennis and some of his most awe-inspiring strikes, were shown on the box just prior to Saturday’s game, as he revealed to Martin Keown his ambition to return “home” in a coaching role. Before Wilshere found the back of the net (with his weaker foot), the combination of one-touch football in the build up to such a wondrous opening goal was so exquisite that I could’ve sworn it involved the participation of the great man.

After witnessing Ozil’s lung-bursting break from the back, to casually creep into the box with perfect timing, to head home a second, I feel somewhat sheepish about having dared to question the former Real midfielder’s willingness to roll his sleeves up.

While Ramsey left virtually the entire Canaries’ defence laying eggs on the floor of their penalty area, dare I say, with almost Best-like “chutzpah”, as Aaron nailed all three points with our third.

It would be hard to pick a better fixture than Norwich at home, for the potential banana-skin following such a hectic international break. Still our guests gave as good as they could.

Contrary to what some absent pundits perceived, believe me, at 2-1, with the Canaries’ choler up after halving our lead and with us urging more effort from the leadenfooted-looking Gunners, this game really could’ve gone either way.

I adore Flamini’s commitment but was hardly disappointed when Ramsey replaced the dazed Frenchman and after Cazorla was afforded a much-needed hour of game time, Rosicky’s introduction lent us some much needed forward thrust.

Additionally, although Giroud continues to convert a legion of Gooner non-believers, suddenly even Bendtner is being viewed as a slightly more credible stand-in.

As evidenced by the wonderfully entertaining unpredictability of the competition thus far, if the Arsenal are to take one lesson from Saturday’s triumph, it’s the importance of treating every opponent with maximum respect.

Hopefully Arsenal’s rapidly burgeoning team spirit will ensure that we don’t suffer from any altitude sickness and combined with the beautiful game performed at its gobsmacking best, the view from up here is pretty close to perfect.