Arsene Wenger has suggested that Arsenal's victory at Hull City this weekend proves that his side are ready to challenge for the Premier League title.
The Gunners maintained their impressive form away from home by easing past their opponents 4-1 on Saturday afternoon, making it three wins in succession in the top flight and 12 goals scored in all.
Wenger was delighted by the manner in which Arsenal took control of the game, albeit with two goals being needed in the final 10 minutes to make certain of the points, and claims that a message has now been sent out to the club's rivals
"This is a statement victory," he is quoted as saying by The Telegraph. "We scored three at Watford, we scored four against Hull. We played 0-0 at Leicester, but we had two or three opportunities. Away from home we look more convincing at the moment than at home.
"I believe that, when we lost our first game, it was a mental shock for us and for our supporters. Straight away you have a little bit of scepticism and doubt, you know, in your head. So it was important for us to win the Southampton game and hopefully now we can have the same quality at home.
"Look, the positivity comes from us, from our attitude. We have to think that we get the supporters behind us, when our performances are convincing and not the other way around."
Next up for Arsenal in the league is a meeting with rivals Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, before a trip to Burnley the following weekend.