Arsenal are feeling confident – but a tricky Brighton lies ahead

Arsenal beat Burnley in a similar manner as Everton previously, only they have yet to cease winning. That streak which began when the Gunners bullied Norwich City 1-0 before being followed up by another 1-0 win against Burnley, and a 3-0 domination of AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup third round, now includes the decimation of Tottenham.

The Gunners look like a rejuvenated and lively bunch, and while the first three wins of their mini-streak were against some lighter competition, Tottenham are always a tough matchup and a North London Derby is never a laughing matter. On Sunday, however, many in red were, in fact, laughing quite hard and jubilantly.

The way that Martin Odegaard conducted the match was stunning, while both Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe were simply sensational pushing wide with every attack and counter-attack. Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang appears to enjoy playing with these young faces, and is looking like he enjoys it, with lively passes like that which sprung Smith Rowe into before he returned the favor for the captain’s goal.

Meanwhile, the additions of both Aaron Ramsdale and Takehiro Tomiyasu appear brilliant demands by the boss, and he deserves praise for their signings above everyone else.

Only the sharpest will prevail between Brighton and Arsenal as Mikel Arteta faces tough Premier League meeting on Sunday

Ramsdale looks a breath of fresh air in the goal, despite Bernd Leno being by no means a bad goalkeeper, while Tomiyasu looks a right professional defender. With his massive frame, versatility of position and ability, as well as his understanding of how Arteta wants him to play within his system, he is proving the perfect right-back, centre-back, or member of a back three should the situation call for it, for this manager.

While all of the matches will not be as these last four have been, there is a distinct possibility that the next fixture could be like the previous four as well. When Arsenal travel to the AMEX Stadium on Saturday they will face a tough, resilient lot with a very sharp, positive manager in Graham Potter.

The Seagulls sit in sixth position on the Premier League table ahead of the weekend; a last-gasp draw to Crystal Palace will be the last bit of football the team will have felt before they go out to host the Gunners. While Ben White is no longer in Brighton but in north London, Yves Bissouma remains at the AMEX, and will look to cause some issues for anyone who comes into his path should be pass a fitness test.

While Tottenham is reeling and the other clubs are far below the talent level of Arsenal, Brighton will be a true, sincere test for the Gunners as October opens up with a tough meeting against a really well-organized team.

If Arsenal can do what they’ve been doing with increasing beauty and fluidity against Brighton, there will be little doubt that, after a rough start to the season, the Gunners are actually on the comeback trail at this point in the new campaign.

Winning will require another full team performance from the usual suspects at this point under Arteta, while fringe players like Martinelli and Lacazette could still have a say in the final result. All of these players, alongside the seemingly certified starting lineup, will have to be active and thoughtful on Saturday. All have the ability and, hopefully, the confidence now to go out and play with real passion and inspiration.

The Mikel Arteta Revolution, so often discussed in the past, looks to be finally coming together in ways that the onlooker can really understand as well. It is becoming increasingly more fun and interesting to watch the Gunners progress and improve, and soon, with any luck, we will all be discussing how they went undefeated over this latest stretch of matches, as the second international break of the young season gives everyone time to think and write.

They will certainly have to beat Brighton first, yet after this early adversity, there is a greater belief in what this team can be than there has been in some time in north London.