When Roy Keane confirmed his belief that Arsenal are the closest challengers to Manchester City for the Premier League title, one line in particular won't have gone unnoticed.
"They are playing with confidence, they have got some physicality," the former Manchester United captain said on Monday Night Football. Keane was responding after what felt like a statement-making victory over Liverpool, and he didn't stop there.
"They have good experience in midfield and young players full of talent. They are scoring goals, they have an electric ground and at the moment they are the biggest challenge to Man City."
Confidence has been there before, as have youth, experience and physicality to different degrees. An electric ground, though? This has rarely been included as a positive in assessments of the Gunners.
Criticism of Arsenal's stadium atmosphere is nothing new. Indeed, you have to go back an entire stadium cycle for the origin of that reputation.
The 'library' nickname handed to the Gunners' old Highbury ground has resurfaced in games this season. However, rather than being used as a line of attack, those bringing it up do so to emphasise just how much has changed in the 16 years at the Emirates Stadium.
In Arsenal's early seasons at their current stadium, there could be a tension which didn't lend itself to results in the biggest games. We saw more of the same towards the end of Arsene Wenger's tenure, too, and it almost became a self-fulfilling prophecy as the club drifted from title contenders to also-rans.
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As recently as September, Eric Cantona took aim at the stadium, but it almost felt like an argument imported from another era. While there are debates to be had about new arenas versus older and tighter grounds, they haven't applied at this club in this season.
"I spoke with some Arsenal fans and they hate these (new) stadiums," the former Manchester United star said. "These fans lost the soul of their clubs. Fortunately, Old Trafford is still Old Trafford. Anfield is still Anfield.”
At grounds around the country, there have been complaints about a loss of soul or tradition. However, even if the surroundings change, there's a great deal that can be achieved simply by virtue of the people inside.
This is something Arsenal struggled with in the last days of Wenger, and you could see as much in the performances as well as the results. Now, though, some feel they have turned over a new leaf.
Arsenal have played six times at the Emirates Stadium this season and won on all six occasions. The last time they failed to win there, against Brighton on April 9, they had 20 shots to their opponents' eight and still attacked with intent even as they fell short.
“I’ve never seen [the stadium] like this," Arteta said after Sunday's win. "I can’t imagine how much it helped the players and how much belief and confidence it gave them. It’s one of the nicest things that has happened since we came here."
Even with his team top of the league, Arteta found himself slipping into the language of before and after the move. However, the changes we have seen should not be ignored as those on the outside looking in have begun to see what the league leaders are capable of.
