Apart from Piers Morgan, the most ardent Arsene Wenger critic in recent years has been former Gunner Stewart Robson.
At the time, Arsenal were under-performing and not spending money on big names.
But the arrival of Mesut Ozil and a more water-tight defence has propelled Arsenal to the top of the Premier League.
As they face champions Manchester United on Sunday, the question is whether the Gunners can last the distance.
Robson has come full circle and believes Arsenal have a chance as he told Off The Ball last night.
"They're playing very well. I've never questioned their ability to create opportunities or their passing ability. But everything seems to be clicking at the moment. When you look at the way Ramsey is playing, Ozil bringing other players into the game and Giroud who is a centre-forward who is scoring goals and flicking balls around the corner. Everything is going right in the attacking sense."
But Robson still feels there are issues at the back, despite the much-improved partnership of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker.
"I still think there are one or two flaws defensively, despite the good record Arsenal have had this season. But they are defending much better. There is greater defensive urgency about the way they play and close the ball down. The centre-halves now don't squeeze too high up the field. If they can just keep their composure and keep that attitude right, they've got every chance of going on to win this Barclay's Premier League."
Robson believes we are seeing assistant manager's Steve Bould's influence on the defence and also on the way in which the midfield provides greater protection.
"I'd like to think that Arsene Wenger has changed and listened to the coaching staff like Steve Bould, Terry Burton and Neil Banfield who might have said 'We can't win unless we defend much better'. There are still one or two flaws that we saw against Liverpool but there were a lot of good things. I think it's come down to the philosophy. I think Steve Bould is having an influence at last because he wasn't allowed to have influence last season, so people tell me."
But unlike many people, Robson does not believe that Wenger needs to spend a huge amount in January to improve the starting XI. However, Robson thinks the squad will need improvement up front where they would be light if Giroud was to become unavailable.
