Mikel Arteta has proved to be ruthless since taking charge of Arsenal. The Spanish coach has essentially refused to manage certain players, instead demonstrating a preference to show them the door.
In January, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was allowed to join Barcelona after allegedly falling out with Arteta, and Mesut Ozil seemed to do the same last season before signing for Fenerbahce.
William Saliba is another player who has felt his wrath. The youthful centre-back has spent the season on loan at Marseille after initially experiencing a troublesome relationship with Arteta.
READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Saka's return, Ramsdale's injury, Saliba's form and celebrations
However, as the campaign has progressed, another player who hasn't seen eye to eye with the Gunners boss in the past has prospered away from the Emirates, and he's still just 22 years-old.
Matteo Guendouzi is the player in question. Much like Saliba, he's also spent the year on loan at Marseille and he's proved to be one of the best performers in Ligue 1.
In fact, only one player has completed more progressive passes in the French top-flight than Guendouzi and his total of 169 this season: Lionel Messi of Paris Saint-Germain.
He's shown himself to be quite the all-rounder. The Frenchman is active and energetic without the ball, and when in possession, he's attack-minded and bold.
His showings have resulted in him representing his national team over the past two weeks under Didier Deschamps. Guendouzi featured as a substitute in recent friendlies against South Africa and Ivory Coast, scoring against the former and registering an assist against the latter.
Guendouzi's evolution is relevant because of how Arsenal's midfield has altered this season. 4-2-3-1 is still the team's favoured system but whenever possession is secured, it changes to become a 4-3-3 of sorts - as shown below - with Granit Xhaka occupying higher spaces than normal.
The Swiss midfielder has contributed to the best of his ability but he's seemed uncomfortable playing in the final third at times, as he's naturally more suited to seeing the play ahead of him.
Arteta's new midfield dynamic looks perfect for Guendouzi, who has the necessary skills to form a midfield two in defence before pushing further up when Arsenal have possession.
Considering Xhaka is now aged 29, Guendouzi could have offered a long-term solution for the Gunners and their new shape, but Arteta seems destined to stick to his stern principles.
