Meet the Invincibles ver 2.0

It’s the mismatch of the season, but if you are a neutral who just loves watching beautiful football, then swashbuckling Arsenal’s visit to Crystal Palace is one of the two must-watch games this weekend, says our EPL analyst Adrian Clarke. The other is, naturally, the clash between title rivals Chelsea and Manchester City.

If you had asked Arsene Wenger to paint an illustration of his perfect goal any time in the last 64 years, I’m convinced it would have been the spitting image of Jack Wilshere’s opener against Norwich City last Saturday.

Speed, skill, movement, unity, improvisation and composure — all the hallmarks of the ultimate Wenger wonder goal were there.

And as a watershed moment, it had been coming too.

For in the early weeks, Arsenal’s class of 2013/14 have been shaping up nicely to announce themselves as the most fluent, rhythmical and downright destructive Gunners side we’ve seen in north London since The Invincibles plundered silver a decade ago. This, as part of their work in progress, was an eye-catching marker to put down.

It’s too simplistic to credit the capture of Mesut Ozil as the catalyst, but his presence has undeniably lifted the team to a higher plane. Effortlessly gliding around the opposition half in search of space, the German playmaker’s masterful control of the ball and perceptive decision-making are benefiting every team-mate, as well as the side as a whole.

The ebullient — and at times unstoppable — Aaron Ramsey is visibly revelling in his link-up play with the record signing, while Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud are more than comfortable partaking in a spot of tiki-taka with their new pal too. Once Theo Walcott returns to offer a speedy threat, the Gunners will frighten any and everyone.

But don’t assume Arsenal are top of the Premier League just because they have magic in their boots.

This season, just as they did towards the back-end of last term, Wenger’s men have developed an encouraging distaste for defeat too.

Eager to embark on lengthy unbeaten runs, they have been digging in as a team to shut out danger much more impressively than they’ve done in recent seasons.

Freebie signing Mathieu Flamini has rightly been lauded for his role in shaking up the midfield, but while the Frenchman’s tackling and determination has shone through, the process of this new outlook began long before his arrival from AC Milan.

Modelling themselves on Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and their conquerors in this week’s Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, the Gunners have learnt to press opponents feverishly in packs, winning possession back efficiently and fast.

If they can’t close down, they’ll shuffle back neatly instead, bide their time, and then snap into rapier counter-attack mode when the chance presents itself; just like they did for Ozil’s first goal against Norwich at the Emirates.

As a collective, the side are maturing nicely and together they are outwardly determined to continue that upward curve.

This evening, they visit second-bottom Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, who will head into kick-off manager-less following the predicted midweek resignation of Ian Holloway.

On paper it’s a mismatch. And, with the Gunners still smarting from their loss to Dortmund on Wednesday morning, there’s little chance of bad habits or sloppy attitudes resurfacing. Their biggest enemy can only be themselves.

A victory would stretch Arsenal’s lead at the summit to five points — if only for a few hours — and given where they were at the final whistle on the opening day of the season, having been stuffed by Aston Villa, that’s a remarkable feat.

A title shot is still a long shot, but whatever happens, Wenger’s side can be guaranteed to paint plenty more pretty pictures along the way.

TODAY’s EPL analyst Adrian Clarke is a former Arsenal midfielder who has played at every level of English football. Now an experienced sports journalist, he writes for many publications around the world. Follow him on Twitter @adrianjclarke

LIVE ON TV

Tonight:

Crystal Palace v Arsenal (mio TV Ch102, StarHub Ch227, 7.45pm)

Man United v Stoke (Ch103 and Ch228, 9.55pm)

Aston Villa v Everton (Ch104 and Ch229, 9.55pm)

Norwich v Cardiff (Ch105 and Ch230, 9.55pm)

Liverpool v West Brom (Ch102 and Ch227, 10.00pm)

Tomorrow:

Sunderland v Newcastle (Ch102, Ch227, 9.30pm)

Chelsea v Man City (Ch102, Ch227, 12.00am*)

Swansea v West Ham (Ch104, Ch229, 12.00am*)

Tottenham v Hull City (Ch103, Ch228, 12.00am*)

* Monday morning (Singapore time)