During my time at Arsenal, I saw the club completely transformed. When I broke through as an 18-year-old, we rarely took risks and it was often '1-0 to the Arsenal'.
I was nearly 30 when Arsene Wenger arrived to change the entire culture and create the brand of free-flowing football with which the club are synonymous.
Now it seems the majority of teams in the Premier League are trying to embrace a similar approach. They are trying to pass the ball more and we seem to be losing the long-ball merchants.
No-nonsense: Martin Keown didn't take any risks at Arsenal
The top six sides all have a passing accuracy of 80 per cent or more this season while Tottenham and Arsenal are the most effective when it comes to passing in the opponents' half. It's no surprise to see them topping the table.
With Liverpool playing well too, the league looks very open and much more competitive. That might be a worry for David Moyes and Jose Mourinho, whose sides have yet to really come together this season.
But it's not just those at the top playing this way. Southampton keep the ball well and with their high press, they win the ball back in dangerous areas. They really impressed me last week at Anfield. At Everton, Roberto Martinez has taken the philosophy he used at Wigan and imposed it on his new players, who pass the ball with real purpose.
On the ball: Arsenal's Jack Wilshere
What stops sides from playing this way is not players' ability but the manager's attitude. Every professional footballer can pass the ball. It's down to the manager and his coaches to trust them.
Wenger showed that faith in us at Arsenal. The team went from focusing on getting the ball back to keeping it in the first place. When you are told to express yourself, it's music to your ears.
We started doing possession drills and were working with mannequins, passing and chipping it over them. We'd never even seen a mannequin on the training pitch before! That belief and confidence makes you more of an all-round player and that Arsenal side became a free-flowing goal machine.
Training day: Arsenal work hard on their free-flowing football
Playing through the compartments of the team is more rewarding for the players and more pleasing for the fans. It's much more joined up, more creative and some of the passing patterns take your breath away.
Barcelona and Spain proved the philosophy can work. Now clubs see that as the way forward and you can see that approach at youth level.
Last Friday I went to an international Under 15 tournament run by the Premier League. It was encouraging to see the good work being done by their director of youth, Ged Roddy, and all the teams tried to play the ball out from the back, but Real Madrid caught my eye. They were purposeful and moved the ball on quickly and that allowed them to get their best players on the ball in dangerous areas of the pitch. If English clubs follow suit, then their youngsters will develop into Premier League players.
Rough stuff: Pablo Zabaleta suffered a black eye on his debut
Some people think a shorter passing game means sacrificing part of our footballing identity, but this is the home of football and our crowds demand a game played with passion.
After getting a black eye on his debut, Pablo Zabaleta thought: 'Wow, what was that?' That was the Premier League. Even with more foreign players, our fans demand breakneck pace, but now we're seeing it combined with quality football. Long may it continue.
Martin's key clashes
HAZARD v WALKER
Eden Hazard (right) is an exceptional player, and one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. He has tremendous pace and uses that to drive at the heart of teams. He makes things happen and is so hard to defend against - just when you think you've got him, he's gone in a flash. Kyle Walker will be able to match his pace, but his first thought is not always about tracking back. He's a work in progress defensively, and needs to work on the mental side of his game. He'll need to get tight to Hazard and shut down the space, but if he keeps him quiet, Spurs will have a real chance to win the game.
PAULINHO v OSCAR
It will be a battle of the Brazilians in the middle. Oscar plays in a wider, more disciplined role for his country, but he is Jose Mourinho's man in the middle at Chelsea. He has to improve on his goalscoring, but he has all the talent to develop into a world-class player. Paulinho took a while to adapt at Spurs, but he has got to grips with the pace of the league and is now an important part of their midfield. He covers lots of ground, has scored goals and will not be afraid to get stuck in to stop his countryman.
ERIKSEN v MIKEL
Christian Eriksen has come into the Tottenham team and already looks like a great signing. He was sitting on the shelf at Ajax, and was linked with a lot of top clubs, but he will want to reward the faith Tottenham showed in him. He's done well so far, but this is his first big test against a top team. I don't think John Mikel Obi is really a first-choice midfielder for Chelsea, but he's got plenty of experience and has seen off a lot of players in his time. He will do a job for his manager, but he's not quite as tenacious or dynamic as Ramires, so Eriksen could find opportunities.
Spotlight on... Robbie Brady
Age : 21
Club: Hull
Position: left wing
Hull have made a good start to the season.
Despite defeats against Chelsea and Man City, they have played well and earned an impressive win against Newcastle last weekend.
Robbie Brady has been an important part of that success.
He arrived on loan from Manchester United in 2011-12 and after a good start to last season, Hull signed him in January.
Last season Brady made 13 assists, which was the second highest number in the division.
The tricky winger set up another last weekend at St James' Park and is not shy of goals either - he has three already in all competitions this season.
Join in the fun as Martin Keown takes on a guest each week in 'What's the score?'
Simply write in your predictions,. There is one point for predicting the right result or three for a correct score.
Last week Martin and Mike Brown drew 9-9. How did you do?
By the way, Martin is backing Man City to beat United this weekend.
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