Arsenal's future is bright as we look towards the North London Derby and beyond 

We will hit bumps on the road, but seem better equipped in depth and quality than ever to manage them and to weather the coming storms says Saul Lipetz 

It was our inefficiency in not putting opposition to the sword, that lack of ruthlessness, that put paid to Arsenal’s mounting a serious challenge to Liverpool last season.

The signs this season are considerably better.

We might have been rightly disappointed to take a solitary point from our immediate rivals, the champions and Manchester City, at the start of the season – but on the negative ledger, that’s literally it.

Prior to the tough 2-2 draw at Sunderland before the international break, following our 3-0 Champions League win away at Slavia Prague, not even a penalty initially given (would David Raya have saved it?) could break an astonishing run of eight clean sheets on the bounce and ten successive victories in all competitions, with three goals conceded in total.

What’s the key to all this, and what could possibly go wrong?

Let’s look at the spine, those we can really trust.

In goal, in a short appraisal, what is there to say about Raya, when he concedes nothing?

In defence, so much metaphorical ink has been spilled on William Saliba that we need say nothing more here.

At full-back, we seem to be able to play who we want, with Jurriën Timber a particular standout and Riccardo Calafiori producing some defensive and attacking performances so remarkable he has deservedly kept Myles Lewis-Skelly, a young man capable of breathtaking moments like the run and perfect pass for Gabriel Martinelli against Atlético, out of the team.

It was Gabriel, of course, who had been excelling even himself, showing an insatiable hunger both to defend our goal with his life and to be first, with an astonishing success rate, to every attacking set piece, who is the supreme revelation here.

It is so typical that we are set to lose him for a spell, following his injury for Brazil during their 2-0 win over Senegal, ironically at the Emirates on Saturday evening - even if we have high hopes for Cristhian Mosquera.

Talking of revelations, it is hard to imagine how we could have expected more from the instrumental Martin Zubimendi.

The £55m summer arrival from Real Sociedad is most undoubtedly an upgrade on what came before.

The 26-year-old San Sebastian-born defensive midfielder has not only fulfilled his defensive role to perfection, but provided numerous wonderful decisive passes, as well as scoring - even netting with his head (tapping it in apparent disbelief against Forest).

Eberechie Eze has at times been a marvel of inconsistency at times as might be expected. Witness his excellent late goal as a substitute for England, but his rather underwhelming performance as a starter during Sunday's 2-0 win over Albania in Tirana.

However, Eze is absolutely capable of those moments of inspiration that can and will prove decisive over a long season. See his excellent goal against former club Crystal Palace to win a tight game last month. 

While England colleague Declan Rice has taken his barnstorming box-to-box efforts to the next level, with untouchably consistent deliveries not only from corners: to deny him world-class status in his freer role would seem churlish in the extreme.

No wonder Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel has added Rice's name to his leadership group. Alongside Bukayo Saka, whose corner led to England's opening goal.

What is left to say Saka? Relentless, and as close to indispensable in his sheer numbers as anyone we have.

As an aside it was instructive to note Tuchel hailing Arsenal and the importance of set pieces. Please do remember that the next time someone criticises the Gunners for their dead ball prowess - after all, if it's good enough for Arsenal, it's good enough for England...

In attack, Gabi Martinelli has confounded his critics, and Leo Trossard repeatedly proved again he is a man for the decisive moment, whether as provider or finisher.

With captain Martin Ødegaard, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all out at least for now - while sadly also having now to include Gabriel the centre-half in that number - our attacking options remain intimidating.

A fact that remains even while not fully clicking without a full squad to select from - and not mentioning our 15-year-old wonderkid Max Dowman.

While the position of centre-forward has suddenly morphed from a problematic, if not non-existent area, to a potential embarrassment of riches.

With Viktor Gyökeres hitting his stride prior to his injury - hopes are high he may feature in Sunday's North London derby - his ever-ready replacement Mikel Merino proves not only a fearsome presence in midfield, but the dream utility option up front, for club and country.

And that's without mentioning the multifaceted Havertz who's almost ready to return and prove his value as a different style of No9 even, especially against the very best teams.

Mikel Arteta will need to continue to deploy our full squad as adroitly as he has managed so far, if not more so. But even the best-stacked teams have a core, that spine of indispensables referenced earlier.

Right now, we could name them as Raya, Zubimendi, Rice and Saka - with Gabriel the one main component missing from that group. The fact that one could even consider omitting William Saliba and Ødegaard here, arguably our two key figures a couple of years ago, speaks volumes.

We will hit bumps on the road, but seem better equipped in depth and quality than ever to manage them and to weather the coming storms.

The future’s bright, and rival fans are right to question us if we fail to take full advantage of this now, this year and through to May.

Suddenly, I feel not cocky, but strangely, rationally confident.

I suspect I am far from alone in that.