Mikel Arteta has Arsenal sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League as they continue to exceed expectations.
The Gunners missed out on the top four last term and their summer spending was done in the hope they could pip one of their rivals to fourth spot and return to the Champions League. Arsenal have surprised many thus far, winning 12 of their opening 14 games and enjoy a five-point lead over champions Manchester City.
Arteta's masterplan at the Emirates has come to fruition this year, albeit they must still navigate over half the season with injuries to key personnel set to play a part going forward. The Spaniard, now into his third full season, has overseen a huge change - both on and off the pitch.
His and the club's recruitment decisions were widely criticised initially as they targeted younger players in the transfer window. They've also made an effort to axe a host of individuals who played under the previous regime - the most high-profile being Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Repairing the damage
The Gabon star signed a new contract early in Arteta's reign having long been cited as the main man. Following that decision though his performances became increasingly inconsistent and were marred by disciplinary breaches that saw him benched for a north London derby.
Last December, he was left out of a game against Southampton for a similar issue and would never return. Aubameyang, then the club's captain, was frozen out before having his contract terminated the following month. Arteta's decision at the time divided opinion but now looks like a shrewd move.
The Spaniard maintains it was a joint call, not one he made on his own, but knew it was necessary to remove players - not just Aubameyang - who were potentially holding the club back. He told Sky Sports: "First of all I didn't take that decision, we took that decision as a club.
"Obviously there is my recommendation and what I feel we need to do if we want to get to where we want to get to. But I wouldn't like to single out one player - I think there were several players. It was part of the strategy, what we wanted to build.
"At the end of the day, when you're in that process and you want to go faster, there were people who are holding the boat and putting weight on it. I'm sorry, but we're going faster and there is no time or space for anybody, a player or a staff member, who is damaging the club."
Amazon's eyes
Those decisions were by no means played out in the public eye, but fans got the chance to see how the saga unfolded courtesy of Amazon Prime Video. The streaming service, which had done a similar documentary series with the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham, turned its attention to the red half of north London.
It allowed for an in-depth look at the Gunners, the thoughts and visions of the hierarchy and the controversial moments - of which Aubameyang's departure was perhaps the most high profile. Arteta admits the series came about, largely, down to the club, rather than him individually after being told about it in a meeting.
He confessed: "I was in a board meeting touching on a few points and I was asked the question - we're almost signed with Amazon what do you think? I said 'Is that a question or a communication'.
"So then it is about how we are going to do it, I think the club made that decision and looking now it looks like the right decision. But it is difficult, stressful, it takes you out of your comfort zone. You feel constantly watched and it is an experience but I think it made us all better."
Pep wanting advice
The early episodes of the documentary feature a 5-0 thumping at City. It was at the Etihad where Arteta began his coaching career as an assistant to Pep Guardiola back in 2016. After more than three years as the Catalan's No. 2, he opted to step out on his own when the Gunners came calling.
The relationship between Guardiola and Arteta, for many, came out of nowhere with the pair having no recent history together. They crossed paths in Barcelona and the City boss' identity is certainly evident in Arteta and the way his team have played, especially this season.
Guardiola has enjoyed success in Spain, Germany and now England, but whilst in charge of Bayern Munich, it was Guardiola who was the one wanting advice. Arteta admits whilst he was still a player the then Munich boss would call up and ask for tips on how to beat English sides he would come up against in the Champions League.
"It was weird because when I was still playing and he was the Bayern Munich manager, whenever they would play English teams he used to call me to ask me about them, how I would play against that," he said.
"We built that relationship and one day he was clear that the day he came to England, his dream was to do at Barcelona in this league because everyone says it is impossible, and I would like your help, support and experience to achieve that dream. "
