Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin made triumphant returns to action on Tuesday night.
The long-term injured duo returned to the first team for the Carabao Cup third round clash with Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium, with Holding scoring in the 5-0 win.
Holding played the full 90 minutes on his return from injury, with Bellerin coming off the bench for the final 13 minutes of the contest.
Holding had not played since a 2-2 draw with Manchester United on December 5 after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament. Bellerin, meanwhile, has been out of action since January 19 with the same injury.
The two players have missed a total of 541 days of action between them, and head coach Unai Emery was delighted to welcome them back into the fold.
Speaking about Holding, he said: "It is perfect to have more options at centre-back after his spirit, his positive minutes. Every day in training he helps us to have more performances like a team.
"He needed to take minutes and confidence. Tonight, the first match after playing with the Under-23s, was a perfect match. He was a little tired at the end, but he scored and he's happy tonight. We're happy with him."
And on Bellerin, Emery added: "I think Hector, his attitude is a big attitude to help us. When he was injured he showed a big mentality to help us. Everybody was wishing he will have that match on the pitch for the first time and his assist for [Joe] Willock.
"That first 15 minutes is very important for him.
"He wanted to play 90. He told me yesterday 'I am ready and want to play'. We decided to give him less minutes also because he played with the Under-23 on Friday and these are the first matches for him."
Emery and the fans were not the only ones pleased to see the pair back on the pitch after their long road to recovery.
Former Gunner Nacho Monreal, who left the club to join Real Sociedad in the summer transfer window, sent a classy message to the duo following the Forest result.
On his official Twitter account, Monreal said: "So happy for Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding. It has been a long way but with patience, sacrifice and a lot of work you are back again. Good people deserve the best and you are two of them."
