Gallas looks a decent captain; van Persie looks sensational; a perfect pre-season?

An interesting pre-season, it has to be said. Aside from the games in Austria, we've been involved in two reasonably big tournaments and come out triumphant in both. Whether pre-season friendlies actually mean anything is, of course, a matter for debate, but it's always nice to win trophies.

The main highlights for me have been the performances of certain players and the new sense of unity in the team.

The first, and most obvious, player who's starred has been Robin van Persie. His goal against Inter was so good, you almost wished he'd saved it up for a more important occasion. His persistence and even his abrasive attitude were also good to see in the Ajax game. It's never a bad thing to have a few spiky characters on the pitch.

Gael Clichy has been outstanding. His run against Ajax which led to the goal was little more than sensational. For a long time it may have been wishful thinking to say this, but we may actually have the best left-back in the premiership.

Alex Hleb has looked a lot better in a more central position, even if it's one he probably won't get to occupy come the beginning of the season. It was great to see him score against Inter, and his overall range of creativity is a joy to watch. The way he carries himself on the field, and his desire to find defence-splitting balls, makes him the player in our current squad who has the greatest potential to really replace Dennis.

Nicklas Bendtner has proved intriguing, scoring twice, providing an assist and missing a penalty. He clearly thinks a lot of himself but, to be frank, so what if he's performing. There's something to him, I'll say that: when I was watching the PSG game you could sense he might be a really big player for us, and not just in terms of his height. He gives us options, if nothing else.

Eboue is a winger. I'm glad we've sorted that out. He could be a real handful this year, even if I implore him to cut out the diving. Sagna has looked good and has proved that we needed a right-back of proven quality. He also seems capable of putting in tasty challenges, which we've needed.

Gallas looks like captain material. Gilberto could, and has, done the job very well hitherto, yet I wonder if Gallas has that aggressive attitude that captains need? I think the first team is in good hands under his stewardship.

The defence as a unit continues to worry me. It has looked reasonably solid but we're still leaking goals. The individual players look fine - it's the inability to co-ordinate which is costing us. A decent defensive coach is needed.

Overall, the team looks more like a team again, rather than 10 players and Thierry. I don't think it's unfair to say that we have the whiff of a dark horse team this year. And Gallas is right: if we concentrate on getting fourth place, we'll become a fourth place team. The title should be our goal for this year and the fans shouldn't forget that. The squad as it stands is still a little thin for my liking but we're only a few steps away from something really quite exciting.

And, while I don't normally do this, I shall make the following transfer predictions for the next twenty-five days: we will sign someone; it won't be Diarra from Chelsea; it may well be Quaresma.

Arsenal to sign Quaresma: there, I've said it. It's based on nothing more than a gut-feeling; one which may, in fact, be nothing more than the beer from last night awkwardly swilling around inside me.

Gallas for captain? Hleb the new Bergkamp? Quaresma to Arsenal? I've either lost it or triumphant vindication is around the corner.