Arsenal have improved since Christmas and last year

Last year we lost 11 games in the Premiership.

This year we have lost 8 (so far).

Last year we finished with 67 points and 4th.

This year we have 66 points with 2 games to play and the possibility of finishing 3rd.

Last year we had Henry firing and a fit squad (in midfield and up front at least).

This year we have had to move into a new stadium and have had a whole host of injuries to deal with.

Since Christmas Arsenal's League record looks like this;

P15 W9 D3 L3 Pts 30

That form would equate to 78pts next season - in 1997/98 we won the title with 78pts. That has largely been achieved without Henry (top scorer in every season he has had at the club and 3 times player of the year), Van Persie, Walcott, Rosicky and less so Gallas.

The fact that we have dominated most of thise matches (apart from Liverpool away) and missed a host of chances means that with a bit of luck and more clinical finishing which I am hopeful Henry and Van Persie or even Eto'o (I know dream on!) might bring we can take another step forward.

There is no doubt in my mind that we are heading in the right direction and when the injured players return we will be title contenders.

Whether that is next season or the season afer is the real question.

A timely reminder of the potential of the team is that Cesc Fabregas turned 20 on Friday. This team is very young and has definately improved over the course of the season - how much? We will have to wait and see.

Admittedly all in all we haven't hit the heights that we all hoped for at the start of the season and the European campaigns of Liverpool, Chelsea and more so Liverpool have left us feeling a bit sick. However we have a good chance to see how far we have come as we entertain Chelsea on Sunday.

Wenger has never beaten a Mourinho Chelsea side, now would be a great time to do it so we can go into next season with some real belief.

Come on you Gunners!