Freddie Ljungberg had an emotional embrace with Lucas Torreira after bringing his spell as Arsenal interim boss to an end on Saturday afternoon.
New Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta watched from the Goodison Park stands as the Gunners ground out a goalless draw with Everton in Ljungberg's final game as caretaker boss.
It was clear Arteta, appointed on Friday on a three-and-a-half-year contract, has plenty of work ahead of him if Arsenal are again to become a team to be revered in the Premier League.
Ljungberg has struggled since stepping in following the sacking of Unai Emery, winning just one of his six games, and the performance on Saturday summed up Arsenal's troubles.
Despite his struggles, Torreira was seen thanking Ljungberg on the Goodison Park pitch following the drab encounter.
The pair were then seen embracing each other, with Torreira recently enjoying a return to the Gunners first team under Ljungberg.
Everton dictated proceedings in the first half as Gylfi Sigurdsson hit the side-netting from a free kick and striker Cenk Tosun could not get any direction on a sharp low cross by Tom Davies.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced a superb reflex save to deny Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from close range shortly after the break before an almighty goalmouth scramble nearly resulted in an own goal at the other end.
Neither side could find a breakthrough in the closing stages with Arsenal packing their defence to deal with a flurry of Everton crosses into their penalty area.
Ljungberg said he was still uncertain whether he would remain at Arsenal as part of Arteta's staff.
"I've been told by the club they want me to stay but I will have a meeting with Mikel tomorrow and hopefully it's a good one," said the Swede.
"I wanted to see people that would run and fight for the team. We can't rely on our name - we have to fight and do the dirty things. We had a very young side out there because I wanted energy and I wanted to give them chances."
