Change is sweeping through the ranks at Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta has been installed as the new head coach of the Gunners. The January transfer window brings an opportunity to review and reshape the squad.
In their two games since the appointment of the club's former captain to lead role in the dugout the team have played with a different attitude.
Following on from their 0-0 draw away at Everton, with their incoming boss watching from the stands, Arsenal brought back a point from Bournemouth on Boxing Day.
Eddie Howe's side took the lead in the first half through Dan Gosling only for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to grab the vital equaliser and the visitors had chances to win the game too at the Vitality Stadium.
Check out the Arsenal player ratings from the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth here.
Mikel Arteta's methods take shape
Art de Roche was at the Vitality Stadium to witness the first game of the Arteta era proper with the Spaniard setting out what he wanted to see from his side on the touchline.
The Gunners showed more intensity and played with a higher defensive line while Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Bukayo Saka took on vital roles down either side of the pitch as Arsenal began to work in new patterns of play.
However, there was one moment in particular in which Lucas Torreira stood out as a player who is already embodying what his new boss wants to see.
Tactical fouls have been used by Manchester City to prevent opponents hurting them on the counter-attack.
After spending three years working under Pep Guardiola it seemed as though Arteta had already brought one idea down to north London from his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Granit Xhaka set for Hertha Berlin transfer
Jose Noguera, agent of Granit Xhaka, has claimed that the Swiss international will leave Arsenal in January to join Hertha Berlin.
Earlier this season the midfielder was stripped of the captaincy by Unai Emery after a confrontation with Crystal Palace that ended 2-2 at the Emirates Stadium.
"We have told Arsenal’s club boss Raul Sanllehi and sporting director Edu Gaspar, as well as the new coach Mikel Arteta," said the representative of the former Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder.
"Arsenal was informed about all the steps, the player and Hertha are clear. It’s only about the transfer fee of the clubs."
Manchester United suffer transfer blow ahead of Arsenal clash
Scott McTominay is set to miss Manchester United's trip to the Emirates Stadium on January 1.
The Scott apparently damaged his knee ligaments in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United according to his manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, Paul Pogba may be able to step in start against the Gunners after slowly building up his fitness off the bench against Watford and the Magpies.
United face Burnley ahead of their trip to north London to hand the Frenchman another opportunity to prove he is ready to take Arteta's side in the new year.
Victory for Arsenal could see the club climb back up the table towards the top four spots they crave but first they must take on Chelsea in their final match of 2019.
