With Arsenal off to their best start in the Premier League in five years coupled with strong performances thus far in the UEFA Champions League, there is definitely a different vibe around the Emirates so far this season. There is cause for long-term optimism as the quality has improved throughout all phases of Arsenal’s game. The defense has been solid all year. The midfield is one of the best in the Premier League, and the addition of Mesut Ozil and Mathieu Flamini has made the Gunners even more explosive in the middle of the pitch. While the striking options are thin, Olivier Giroud has been impressive.

Arsenal have combined the perfect blend of personalities and playing styles. They have strength and size, along with agility and speed. Creativity and imagination are in abundance when they find themselves in passing and scoring opportunities, and they possess a steely reserve while defending to match their skill in other areas. It also helps that defending set pieces is no longer a major concern for Arsenal supporters.

Looking back over Arsene Wenger’s time at Arsenal, it can be broken into three phases — 1996 to 2005 (the period from when Wenger was appointed as manager), 2005 to 2011, and 2011 to present.

The period of 1996 to 2005 marked some of the finest days in the club’s recent history. The fall of 2005 through the spring of 2012 represented the barren years for the club, while the fall of 2012 through present features the building of a different type of playing style than in previous years.

The summer transfer window of 2011 marked the first time in years when Arsenal purchased quality and experience. Although at the time some fans believed the likes of Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta were panic buys, it now looks like they were retooling with more experienced players, not just players with potential or eventual overpaid deadweights. The summer window of 2012 saw Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla added to the squad. A solid base was being laid out even though there weren’t any world class signings. Best of all, Wenger was recouping some of the talent they had lost, gradually eliminating problem players, all the while allowing the promising younger ones to emerge and gain playing time.

The star power craved for by the Arsenal faithful finally arrived this year in the form of Ozil, easily the biggest name to be brought in by Arsenal in some time, if not ever. They also added Flamini, who not only brings experience; he also helps to solidify the Gunner midfield. He is accustomed to Wenger and knows what the man will want to accomplish on the pitch without having to learn the system or adjust all that much. One other benefit is that he has been at Arsenal when they were winning things and will inherently understand how to get them there again. He is almost another coach on the field it seems, as he seems to be barking out instructions for his teammates on match days. With major improvements in the transfer dealings of Arsenal Football Club, one can only hope that they continue to sign promising players, players who are quality and players who are world-class. Again, it is all about the mix.

While the established Arsenal players are for the most part younger, they are certainly not less talented. The good health of Jack Wilshere combined with the emergence of Aaron Ramsey has strengthened midfield, while an improved defense has been aided by the development of Wojciech Szczęsny, and Kieran Gibbs improving at a steady clip. These improvements from all players mentioned make for a promising future as well as aiding the current squad.

When the Gunners have to make a substitution, it’s refreshing to see the depth that’s available. Players like Mikel Arteta and Nacho Monreal coming on makes Arsenal supporters feel much easier about the outcome of a match than a Abou Diaby or a Marouane Chamakh.

Arsenal certainly has some concerns and success is never guaranteed, but they have a strong setup. The current squad has just about everything Arsenal supporters could hope to have — a solid defense, a spectacular midfield with creativity and toughness in equal parts and a clinical front line. They have a mental fortitude about them, a great work rate overall and a seemingly excellent team spirit. They have achieved what has eluded them in the past several seasons — a mix of players with varying skills and attributes who complement each other on the pitch coupled with the fact they are hungry to achieve greatness in an Arsenal shirt.

In recent seasons, Aaron Ramsey has been too aggressive, too arrogant, and too full of self-confidence. Lacking in pitch awareness, focus and control, he has helped win some games, but also either directly helped to lose or didn’t contribute enough to help win. He’s been cocky, only briefly showing signs of the talent that led Arsenal to sign him and Arsene to believe in him.

Fans and members of the media have speculated about his future, whether or not he would remain in an Arsenal shirt or for how long. Rumors swirled in Internet chat rooms that he might be a bust, another one of Wenger’s projects that would end up in disaster. The bottom line is that the Wales national team captain wasn’t looking like he was ready for the big-time.

This year, he has been off to a drastically different start than years previous. The question is, what’s changed? Well, let’s take a look.

For starters he has always been blessed with natural, God-given ability. No one has questioned his raw talent. The questions were more cerebral. The end of last year he contributed some worthwhile performances, so he did have a modicum of momentum heading into this year’s campaign. Also since his recovery from his horrific leg break in February 2010, he has stayed healthy. Injury free, he has been able to gain more playing time with the Gunners since his loan spells at Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City finished up almost a year to the day since his broken tibia and fibula. The former rugby winger turned football midfielder has been building momentum slowly.

Or perhaps he hasn’t needed to build on anything, rather just unleash those talents, focus those gifts and instinctively know how and, more importantly, when to influence a match. The timing of a pass or challenge is just as important as the quality of either.

So far this year the biggest difference with Ramsey seems to be his overall demeanor. His maturity level may finally equal his talent. He is seemingly more zeroed in on the pitch. It would appear he has internalized his overzealous self-confidence into a laser-like focus that pinpoints exactly when and where a pass is needed and with how much or how little pace. He is reading the game much better. He isn’t running so far forward without support and then not tracking back when required. He is playing his position and doing it in a way that belies his years.

While he may not have quite the imagination or resume of a Xavi, or even a Fabregas, he is off to an excellent start so far this year. What the future may hold for the two-time Welsh Young Player of the Year, only the football gods know. If he maintains the mental aspect of the game, however, and continues to grow and learn, he may very well gain the favor of those who once spurned him. He may even contribute in what every Arsenal supporter wants: a trophy.

He has never been highly sought after. He has never been highly touted. At one point, he was just glad to have a professional contract. His manager once said that he “did not have the level to play among the elite.” Long before his current days as the starting striker for Arsenal, before the name recognition, the ample wages, and the cushy lifestyle, Olivier Giroud was just another face in the crowd.

Raised in a small town in France, it wasn’t until he was 21 when he signed his first professional contract with Grenoble. And that was to play in France’s fifth level. Yes, that’s right, fifth. Gaining in confidence and technique, he scored fifteen goals in fifteen matches that first year with the reserves. Seven months later he was promoted to the senior team. In March 2006, he played his first professional match. And by 2007, he was permanently placed in the senior team. Eighteen appearances and two goals later, Giroud found himself at the end of the campaign for that year and inching closer to the next level. Or so he thought.

The ’07-’08 season found Olivier loaned to Istres in the third level of French football. He tallied 14 goals and his improvement continued. His confidence became more solidified and so did his goal-scoring. He was hoping to keep his momentum going into the following season now that his loan period was finished. Football, however, had different plans. The new manager at Grenoble, Mehmed Bazdarevic, stated he was not an elite talent and therefore not needed for the club’s upcoming campaign in Ligue 1. Giroud remained unfazed. He believed that he and Grenoble could achieve great things together, and wasn’t resentful about the situation. He looked forward. He looked upward. Brighter times were ahead.

In May 2008, it signaled his new start with his new club Tours. He signed a 3 year deal with the Ligue 2 side. While there, he earned 14 goals in 27 appearances, certainly a respectable rate and was gaining the respect of the fans, as well as the coaching staff. Looking back on his time there, he credits his manager Daniel Sanchez with giving him the tutelage he needed. As a result, his positioning and ability in front of goal improved drastically. He was now primed for a starting role in the side.

For the 2009-2010 campaign, Giroud did indeed become the number one striker following the departure of Tenema N’Diaye to Nantes. Through the fall and into winter, Giroud delivered 16 balls into the back of the net. And then he got the call.

Montpellier in the first division of French football had been tracking Giroud for some time and pounced in that year’s winter transfer window. Giroud received a 3 year deal with a transfer fee of 2 million paid to Tours to acquire Olivier’s services. Giroud believed the manager and his staff would be able to help him further his career greatly. Part of his transfer though was that he be loaned back to Tours for the rest of the year.

Apparently having a Ligue 1 side believing in him helped boost his confidence because Giroud finished out the year with Tours in rare form. He ended the year with 42 appearances and 24 goals, Ligue 2 player of the year honors and, for good measure, was named to the Ligue 2 Team of the Year. He was now ready for the big time.

Giroud was now at the top of the heap in French football. A Ligue 1 spot was finally his. And he was not about to let it slip away. He scored both in his first European and domestic matches with his new club and went on to lead his club in goals scored for that year.

At this point things were definitely looking up as he entered the 2011-’12 season. He was one of the most dangerous strikers in France. And the rest of Europe was starting to take note; hell, he even had a nickname. After a game against Brest in which he scored a brace, French media began calling him le buteur de charme or “the charm striker” due to his looks and his ability. In one stretch of matches, he scored 13 goals in 18 matches. By the winter transfer window, top European sides were seriously interested. He ended up with 21 goals, 12 assists, finished as the league’s top scorer on goals in open play (Nene for PSG had the same goal numbers), and Montpellier won the title for the first time in their history. Once again Giroud kept improving at a new level of play. Once again he had accomplished everything he could where he was at. He now had to move on yet again. Onwards and upwards he would go.

With interest from several European sides at an all-time high, Giroud ended up signing with Arsenal in June 2012. As per the usual, it took Giroud a while to settle in at a new level of competition. A new level of competition compounded by a new country, culture, club, teammates and manager made for a massive transition. A transition that was not above Giroud. He settled in last year and finished with 17 goals scored and 11 assists contributed in 47 appearances.

To start the 2013-2014 season, Giroud has been in wonderful form and is Arsenal’s main attacking option. He has worked his way from intense obscurity to immense exposure. He has risen to the occasion at every stop of his young career, constantly learning, improving and honing his craft. He will be the next great Arsenal striker. After all wasn’t there a young Dutch striker at Arsenal who worked his way up the ranks to become great? The same can be said of Giroud. He has people who believe in him, a coach to mentor him, facilities to keep him in form and in health, a passionate fan base and creative players to allow him to flourish. There is nothing missing from the equation.

If past performances indicate future events for Olivier, then my goodness the future looks promising. Onwards and upwards Mr. Giroud. Onwards and upwards.