Looking ahead to this weekend’s trip to Old Trafford, I have to admit that I’m still looking backwards and marveling at the performance our lads gave in Italy. That’s one luxury afforded to fans that player’s miss out on, the next hurdle is always square in your path, and so, until the race is over, a professional can ill afford to spend much time looking behind him.

A fan can afford to view things differently, and we often dwell on past defeats, or overlook our club’s next opponent to salivate over the more appealing entrée of a big opponent, or a higher stakes match up.

Being an Arsenal fan has, over the last six months or so, felt a lot like being a boxer fighting against a much stronger opponent. Wave after wave of bad news and unfortunate events rained down upon us like hay-makers, and if you pause to look back, you may wonder how you made it through in one piece.

The Carling Cup final, Camp Nou, the late season collapse’s against Liverpool, Tottenham and Villa. It continued on this summer. Cesc and Nasri left, Squillaci and Almunia stayed. The preseason disappointments, and the early season results against Liverpool and Newcastle that had the media shouting “crisis” in the second week of the season.

It would be cliche, naive and most of all, incorrect, to say all of that changed on Wednesday night. But for the first time in what felt like ages, Gooners everywhere were able to step out from under the clouds that have been hovering over our favorite club, into a world of optimism and hope. Things were, at least for the moment, going to be OK.

Now I have a message (you might even call it a plea) for Arsenal and manager Arsene Wenger: Don’t let it stop here. The way forward is clearly marked, and if this young squad gets some momentum behind them, they can achieve more than anyone dreamed of.

So sign some players. Seeing this transfer window close with no new reinforcements joining will be like cutting the legs out from a team beginning to make strides forward. I’m not here to ask for individual players, or to hypothesize on who’s joining, I’ll leave that to others. I will point out that Arsene’s confirmation of a bid on Gary Cahill is very encouraging.

Cahill would be a great addition, I feel. He’s a signing for everyone, the English media will love him because, well, because he’s English, and the fan’s will love him because he’s a defender. According to this story, Arsene’s bid was an “insult” for Bolton, I’d only advise Arsene not to fret over nickles and dimes (or as the Brits say, a few quid). Just get the player, get everyone happy, and get on with it.

A few correct signings (notice the word ‘correct’, not ‘big’) will do wonders for this young squad’s mentality. You know it’s on their mind, as literally every player interviewed has made no secret of being hopeful for new faces. A couple of exciting signings will have those lads fired up, and believing they can achieve anything this year.

I don’t think that this weekend’s visit to Old Trafford can derail the momentum, we have a weakened squad that will be expecting a very tough match. I think the only way a loss can hurt confidence is if it’s a thorough beating, but I don’t see that happening. Any kind of result for Arsenal will be great, and will only build on Wednesday’s heroics.

It’s very important that the fans get behind this club in the coming weeks, especially at home. Emirates Stadium MUST become a fortress again. If for no other reason, be loud just to spite that little twit Nasri. Last season, United won the league almost on home form alone, while Arsenal dropped 20 points. It’s time to change that, and make Islington a trip that no club looks forward to making.

I have a feeling that a club this young can really achieve something special, if they can keep the positive results coming. Success breeds more success, after all.