Gary Neville's questioning of Arsenal's long-term strategy has long been a talking point among the Gunners fanbase ever since he first made the remarks on the opening night of last season.
The Manchester United legend's comments seemed peculiar at the time, given Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had just purchased four players all aged 23 or under. In turn, it seemed apparent the north London outfit were planning their rebuild around younger players who aren't expected to peak for a while yet.
As a result, ups and downs along the way were guaranteed and, while Arteta's troops enjoyed some notable high points last term, the season ended in heart-breaking fashion. With three games left and boasting a five-point lead in fourth, Arsenal failed to hold their nerve and were leapfrogged by fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur right at the death.
After Neville's comments from last summer resurfaced on social media, the Sky Sports pundit appeared to double down on his initial assessment by replying to an Arsenal fan with: "You blew up with the best chance you’ll have of finishing 4th! Is that the strategy?"
The ex-England star is not alone in his ridicule of the Gunners catastrophic ending to last season, but if Arteta's latest decision is anything to go by - the Arsenal manager has stood firm in giving 'project youth' a chance. And now the Spaniard has taken the decision to entrust 23-year-old Martin Odegaard with the club captaincy.
Some would argue that analysing the way in which an inexperienced Arsenal side fell apart at the tail-end of last term, a more elder statesman-like figure is better suited to inherit the armband. However, the reality is there aren't too many of those characters in the Gunners side, with most culled by Arteta in favour of a younger alternative.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Is Arsenal's long-term strategy and thinking clear? Comment below
Former Real Madrid man Odegaard was announced as the new skipper just before Arsenal's final pre-season fixture against Sevilla. Arteta explained his decision after the game, adding: "What I’ve seen over the past 18 months since he’s been with us, he’s represented the values of this football club, the team, the teammates and the staff in the best possible way.
"He’s displayed an ambition to take this club to a different level, to push this team and contribute within it, and as well the way he is respected by everyone inside the organisation.
"He’s also the captain of his national team and I think it was the right call, and I’m proud to announce that because I think he’s a really good person to deliver that commitment to the club."
Alongside the Odegaard announcement, Arsenal's youthful transfer policy has for the most part continued this window. 22-year-old Fabio Vieira was the first major arrival of the summer, while ex-Manchester City duo Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko are both still only 25 years of age.
