There came a time period where Arsenal, and their loyal supporters, felt moments like this would never come.
After so many years of watching their rivals dominate, it's now the Gunners who look to be both England and Europe's elite side. Last night's gritty 1-0 Champions League win over Napoli makes it five wins from as many matches so far this season. Rivals hoping for a drop-off after their Premier League title triumph back in May have been left disappointed.
Since 2004, when the Invincibles ruled the land, Arsenal have had it rough.
First, Chelsea started to win the big trophies under Jose Mourinho. For two years, Stamford Bridge bore witness to the greatest side in the land. Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba became the strongest spine as they muscled their way to the top of the tree.
Then it was Manchester United's turn under Sir Alex Ferguson. The Red Devils won three in a row between 2007 and 2009, adding the Champions League crown and two League Cups to their trophy room. Chelsea won again in 2010, while 2012 saw Manchester City secure glory in dramatic circumstances. United conquered in 2011 and 2013, though, to ensure Ferguson's reign ended on a high.
Chelsea and Leicester have lifted it since, but it's been Manchester City and Liverpool who have predominantly ruled the roost. City claimed six under Pep Guardiola, with Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot reaching the summit at Liverpool. Now, however, it looks as though it's Arsenal who appear to be the envy of world football.
Last night's victory over Napoli was well-deserved. They managed 25 attempts on goal, with Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Mikel Merino coming close. In the end, it was the resurgent Martin Odegaard who produced the goods with 15 minutes remaining to give Mikel Arteta's side European lift-off.
It has been a spectacular start for last year's finalists. City, Coventry, Aston Villa, Chelsea and now Napoli have been overcome. Ominously, despite losing Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus during the summer, they appear to be stronger than ever.
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In David Raya, they have one of the best goalkeepers in world football. His record of 20 clean sheets in just 37 Champions League matches speaks for itself and he made three key saves to keep last night's opponents at bay.
Ben White, Ezri Konsa, Gabriel Magalhaes and Piero Hincapie started at the back and all impressed. Konsa has enjoyed a positive start to life at the Emirates since joining from Aston Villa, while Gabriel has refused to let his penalty shootout miss in May's Champions League final defeat to PSG hamper his remarkable form.
In midfield, they have enviable strength in depth. Odegaard has surged to a new level since the start of the season, while Rice and Merino produced composed displays amid the heat of the battle. Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Zubimendi as bench options against a team of Napoli's stature proves just how far Arsenal have come.
Mikel Arteta has lost key attackers but remain strong there, too. Last night, Saka, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres all got the nod in attack, while Madueke and Kai Havertz came on. They don't have the superstar names of Barcelona or Real Madrid, but Arteta has it all working to perfection. To such an extent, they've become world football's most-complete team.
Barcelona are breathtaking to watch but their defence concedes goals. Real Madrid remain culpible to the odd slip-up, even if they've got Jose Mourinho back to stamp that sort of thing out. City look good under Enzo Maresca, yet were dismantled by Arsenal in the Community Shield. Even defending champions Paris Saint-Germain don't look invincible any more, having failed to win any of their three Ligue 1 matches so far this season.
Under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal won trophies but never truly dominated. They never retained the league, for example.
Yet with Arteta in the dugout they've never had a better chance. Their strong start to the season has truly established them as the team to beat.
Arsenal have never had it so good.
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