It was only five years ago next month but for Arsenal it probably feels more like a lifetime, especially when they take a glance over at what's going on at Tottenham Hotspur these days.
On Dec. 19, 2012, Arsene Wenger stood proudly behind five young players who had just signed new five and six-year contracts. Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey and Carl Jenkinson were the young, British players that Wenger was backing to form the nucleus of the next successful generation at the Emirates.
Theo Walcott, 23 at the time, joined his five teammates by committing his long-term future to the club the following month, so Wenger's vision was clear -- Arsenal's future rested on these young shoulders.