Mikel Arteta was again one of Arsenal's best players on the pitch against Manchester City, the Spanish playmaker showing his technical ability and awareness in abundance against formidable opponents.
Arteta has brought a sense of calm to the Gunners midfield, which at times can be panicky and hence be prone to silly mistakes. After playing the first season in a more advanced role, the Spaniard has been asked to be the deepest lying midfielder this year, a role in which he keeps excelling.
Arsene Wenger believes muscle in midfield is not the most important aspect; what is important is awareness and the ability to read the game. There is no better player in the Arsenal line-up to do that than Arteta, and the former Everton man admitted he was happy with his new role.
"It is a big transition but it is more a mental thing," he told the club's official website. "The boss is convinced that is the best thing for the team and I am too, so let's do it.
"If it works, and in games like that where you probably think you need a more physical presence but you still create and are able to match the physical ability and the way they play, it reinforces your belief. I am totally happy that is a good way to play."
Belief is something that seems to be permeating throughout the Arsenal squad this season, and indeed the Arsenal fans. The Gunners have had one of the best starts to their season in recent memory, not just taking into account the number of points, but the manner in which they have played. Arteta believes the attitude and mental belief is high in this year's squad.
"The attitude has been spot on and we know it can only be like this," he said.
"It cannot be any other way for a game or 20 minutes in a game when you relax, because you are going to pay for it and against big teams like this, even more.
"For us, it's good because we believe that we are as good as them (City), at least. I think on Sunday we were better than them. If we are, then all we need is consistency.
"Everyone is enthusiastic and you can feel that."
That consistency is something that has been lacking in the Arsenal teams of the past few years, the Gunners flattering to deceive on most occasions. However, according to Arteta, getting points from Liverpool and Manchester City away have given the team a confidence boost and belief in their abilities to challenge for the title.
"It is (a confidence boost) because we have already been to three of the toughest places you can go to -- Liverpool, City and Stoke -- and I think we deserved to win all of them," the 30-year-old continued.
"Two of them we drew and one we won but we could have won them all easily. It shows we are doing things in the right way.
"We are training well, the team is organised and ambitious. We want more and more each game.
"What we are trying to do is get as close as we can and keep building that belief that we are as good as the Manchester clubs.
"If we carry on until March or April when it is really tight and hang in there, I think the spirit we have got in this team can get us something."
