His performances at right back against Chelsea and Southampton were outstanding. Quick and comfortable with the ball his inter-play with Parlour was a revelation. Yet the jingoistic boo-boys were on his back from virtually the first minute. Remember he only cost 1 million - for an English equivalent that might just about buy you the left leg of Justin Edinburgh. Comparisons inevitably have been made with George Graham's reign at Highbury.
People have short memories.
Graham inherited a club with a squad bursting with prodigious youth promise - he had so much talent he could even afford to sell Andy Cole to Bristol City. I notice the Leeds youth coach walked at the start of the season, accusing Graham of having no interest in the youth team. Wenger had no such luxuries, he inherited a squad that was either ageing or not up to it. He has had to buy in the younger layer. Whereas Graham was able to buy established players knowing that he had young talent waiting to come through, for Wenger, the youth cupboard was almost bare.