It was only last summer that revolution was in the air at Arsenal; the club falling woefully short of the fans ambitious expectations. Premier League defeat to Villa seemed to add weight to this concern and really put the wheels of change in motion. Wenger out?

Aside from a club record signing in Mesut Ozil the aggressive investment never came, the Frenchman putting faith in what he had rather than to look elsewhere to reinforce. Many tipped this to be his downfall, a stubborn attitude that was going to finally catch up with him.

Fast forward three months and many have quickly forgotten about the turmoil of the summer. Arsenal are flying high in the Premier League and look set to challenge in the latter stages of the Champions League next year as well. The exact thing that Wenger was castigated for has actually been the reason for the clubs recent revival.

Even star signing Mesut Ozil has looked pretty peripheral, going missing far too often and not being quite the menace that many expected. This actually reinforces the point, Arsenal have been so good not because they bought some multi million pound player, but because they have enjoyed a degree of continuity that so many of their rivals have lacked.

Signings often appease fans but there is never a guarantee that they will have the desired effect. You only have to look at Spurs who were a club applauded for their ambitious summer activity, and who are now being criticised for too much change and upheaval. In the end every particular strategy is results justified, and Wenger’s prudence, whilst not initially popular is beginning to bear fruit.

All of Arsenal’s close rivals have spent big, and all of them have suffered the same inconsistencies. Who knows they may be able to piece themselves together, but at the current rate Arsenal look set to be well out of sight long before any of the chasing pack can maintain a degree of form.

By not investing last summer, Wenger showed a huge amount of faith in his current crop; the likes of Ramsey and Wilshere both needing to step up a gear in order to vindicate the manager’s decision. Wenger though has been rewarded for his faith, Ramsey in particular has been a standout performer for the club, and he looks to be that multi million pound signing that the fans were clamouring so fervently for.

Contrast this to a club like Manchester City that have become this seasons Jekyll and Hyde outfit and you get a sense of how shrewd Wenger’s decisions were. City look unbelievable when they are playing well, last weekend was a great example, but also shambolic when they are off form. This season’s Arsenal don’t suffer from these frailties, even on an off day the current side are able to steal victory even they possibly don’t merit it, this is the kind of form that typifies league champions.

There is no issue of gelling or bedding in at the Emirates, the players know each other and they understand how to play Wenger’s system. Not only is Wenger’s strategy a lot more cost effective, it is also proving to be a lot more successful. A clear vindication of patience ahead of short-termism in football, maybe other teams could take a leaf out Wenger’s book.

It isn’t easy though and I can understand the concern and frustration of Arsenal fans, a summer with all the other big clubs spending and their own club looking likely to be left behind. But  Arsenal are lucky because they have one of the best in the business in charge, a man that doesn’t feel the need to conform because he has faith in his own methods.

Wenger’s stubbornness is often criticised but in this case it is something to be applauded. Arsenal’s perceived lack of ambition has made them the team to beat this year and those that doubted their manager are beginning to be proven wrong.

Has Wenger shown the way with a pragmatic approach to investment?