Adam Peacock looks at how Arsene Wenger transformed Arsenal into EPL contenders Arsenal's Mesut Ozil blows kisses to the crowd. HOW Arsenal became Arsenal again. This was not even the same old, same old. It was worse than that" The Independent. "Anger cascaded around the massed ranks of Arsenal supporters..." The Daily Express. "Ultimate humiliation for Arsenal," The Sunday Times. And so started the stories on August 18, 2013, the day after the start of the season for Arsenal. They could have been written at any time over the past few years, now into an eighth season waiting for a trophy, a drought surely not to be broken anytime soon after a 3-1 opening day capitulation to Aston Villa. Vitriolic best describes the mood at the Emirates that day. Four months on, Arsenal on top of the ladder, Wenger perched upon his throne. A number of factors are at play here, cultivating a thought among Gooners. They can't bring themselves to say it. The rest of us will - title. Patience with current crop. "The two most powerful warriors are patience and time" is a quote from Leo Tolstoy. Now in the time it would take a 7-year-old to read War and Peace, Arsene Wenger has used those powerful warriors and waited for the players he knew to become better. And waited... and waited. And all of a sudden, they have. You could pick a few, but three will do here as prime examples. Wojciech Szczęsny - once as shaky as a Japanese skyscraper, he's made some crucial saves this season on a consistent basis. Per Mertesacker - likened to a giraffe on rollerskates when he arrived from Werder Bremen, the big German is now one of the most imposing prospects for opposition strikers. And his partnership with Laurent Koscielny deserves praise too; just ask Thomas Vermaelen. And of course, Aaron Ramsey - Given so much time to develop, some thought too much, suddenly he's become the 5-year-overnight success of the Premier League, presently involved in a 2-man race with Luis Suarez for Player of the Season and the subject of previously unthinkable transfer rumours... "Messi, to Neymar... Ramsaayyyyy!!" Incredible transformation. A decent de-clutter. 17 players left Arsenal in the off season. Name one they miss? Gervinho, Arshavin, Andre Santos? No, didn't think so. Certainly not the pedigree of escapees of previous campaigns. Of course, it has worked out that way, because no-one really thought that way when Villa won in August, but that was a fortnight before... The Uber Umlaut. Ah, there it is. On September 2, Wenger found his chequebook behind the couch and it really changed things. Their own transfer record obliterated, along with the ceiling on their own fans' expectations. Mesut Ozil arrived at Arsenal, and slipped straight into the role of superstar. No settling in period, just class on and off the pitch - like the day he arrived, making sure he met every staff member at the club to say hi. It's helped in every aspect, such as the way Santi Cazorla doesn't have to be the main man. The little Spaniard is like a spicy salsa - a revered condiment. If that makes Ozil a corn chip, so be it. Whatever it takes to make the metaphor work. The other signing. 4 days before Ozil, Mathieu Flamini rejoined Arsenal on a free transfer, and most rolled their eyes. You cheapskate, Wenger!! Then Ozil happened, and like a weekend in Vegas with Alan, all recent memory was wiped. What's more, it's worked, without the hangover. Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini has gone about his work quietly, yet efficiently. Flamini, who unsurprisingly wears all black boots and looks like a descendant of a chimney sweeper, loves hard work and communicating is perhaps his best asset - exactly what the Arsenal back 4 needed in front of them. As chaos surrounds thee... The form of some of the big clubs beneath Arsenal has been as suspect as a married man signing up to Tinder. It is no shock - the really big three - the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea changed managers, but still, it is slightly odd to see things like Newcastle winning at Old Trafford and Jose Mourinho's side leaking six goals in two games - and that was just in the last week. Aaron Ramsey has been the Premier League's biggest surprise packet. But the muddle behind Arsenal is no comfort for Arsene Wenger. This is the most compressed table in recent memory - after 15 games, the gap between 2nd and 7th in the last five seasons has been has follows - 10 pts, 10 pts, nine pts, 10 pts, 11 pts. This season? four points. You would imagine 2 or 3 of these clubs will break away over the Christmas period, which essentially starts this weekend. What factor has been most important? Ozil, but without the others, there is certainly no guarantee life at Arsenal wouldn't be so rosy at the moment. Arsene Wengerhas got Arsenal to the top of the tree, but can they stay there? And they've done it without 3 genuine attacking weapons in Theo Walcott, Lucas Podolski and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. So now it gets really interesting. Win the next 2, Manchester City away on Saturday night and Chelsea just before Christmas, and hope turns to expectation for Arsenal. Like in so many cases, across all sports - it's one thing putting all the pieces in the right places, setting yourself up for glory. It's another thing actually following through with the threat. Only then will Arsenal have become Arsenal once more. Watch the pre-game show Adam Peacock and Mark Bosnich at 11.20pm (EDT) on Fox Sports 1HD on Saturday before Manchester City v Arsenal kicks off at 11:45pm.