If you're an Arsenal fan, then for the last few seasons, every winter has been one of discontent. A promising start gives way with crushing inevitability to a mid-season dip; with Spring might come a resurgence of form, but generally the only prize at stake is a place in the coveted top four with the promise of Champions League riches and fame. Not so this season. Arsenal have taken 13 points from a possible 15 this month in one of the busiest periods in domestic football. With such extraordinary cause for celebration one might therefore forgive a small modification of the original quotation:

'Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this son of Cataluña'

It was the most memorable cameo since Boy George appeared on the A team (honestly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47puweMw9Wk&feature=player_embedded). Fabregas came on after a dreary 57 minutes, scored two goals and came off again, spending just 27 minutes on the pitch. The second goal came at a price however, as the Spaniard aggravated the hamstring injury that had forced him to start the match on the substitutes' bench. Wenger has said that the gamble was worth it, and he may be right, but with Fabregas likely to be out for three weeks and Arsenal to play three fixtures in the next ten days, only time will tell on this one.

The game itself was, if I may resort to clichés, very much a game of two halves. The first 45 was an uninteresting affair. Neither side managed to assert any prolonged period of dominance. Arsenal and Villa both created chances: Eduardo again showed a lack of cutting edge after shooting lamely at Friedel inside the box, and Carlos Cuellar shot well wide from just outside the area when he should have at least hit the target. Things improved after the break; an Eduaro free kick was palmed away by Friedel and Gallas was unlucky to see his shot cleared away from the line. The addition of Fabregas brought the necessary quality to break the deadlock. His mere presence was enough to draw defenders out position, and Arshavin was able to exploit the gaps in front the Villa goal to draw a fine save from Friedel.

For the second week in a row it was a direct free kick that gave Arsenal the lead. In the past the suggestion has been made (at least by me) that as Fabregas can do damn near what he pleases with the football it should follow that he can score from dead ball situations. I'd be lying if I said I watched him bend an unstoppable free kick into the Villa goal with no small amount of satisfaction.

The second goal was just as irrepressible. As another attack broke down for the visitors, Traoré, that is to say our third choice left back, demonstrated the technical ability that runs right the way through the squad as he first had the vision to see Walcott streaking down the pitch and then the skill to pick him out with a cross-field pass. The winger was then able to play in the rampaging Fabregas to score his second.

Gallas and Almunia combined well to stop Agbonlahor late on to give Arsenal their third clean sheet in five matches, before Diaby capped another excellent performance by scoring a superb solo goal, ghosting through the Villa midfield before slotting past Friedel.

An excellent yield of thirteen points from fifteen in December will mean little if an Arsenal side without Fabregas go on to have a woeful January, but it seems to be a good indication of the growing character and ability of this young side. Diaby will need to continue his excellent form is he is to negate the effect of Alex Song's departure to the Africa Cup of Nations, and Aaron Ramsey will need to show incredible maturity if Arsenal are to prolong this run beyond the new year.

How do I love thee Cesc? Let me count the ways. 12 goals and ten assists. Easy. Get well soon.