When the Kroenke family took charge of Arsenal, it is safe to say sitting ninth in the Premier League was not what they envisioned.
But that is exactly where they find themselves after a season of transition under Mikel Arteta which they hope will eventually lead them back to the very top.
Whilst the Gunners have so far struggled to meet expectations, Arteta seemingly retains the full support of the Arsenal board having shown plenty of positive signs.
By contrast, morale and positivity was at rock bottom prior to his arrival when Unai Emery was sacked in November 2019.
Whilst Freddie Ljungberg was in temporary charge, director Josh Kroenke, son of owner Stan, paid a visit to the Arsenal training ground.
In the process of deciding their next manager, he opted to head to London Colney to address Arsenal’s underperforming stars.
And he outlined what he believes will be their “winning formula” - getting back to basics and enjoying their football.
"My message to Freddie and the players was let's get back to basics and most importantly let's get back to having some fun," Kroenke told Arsenal's official website at the time.
"I think footballers are at their best when I see smiles on their faces and going out there and winning matches.
"That's a winning formula to me.”
A few weeks later, Arteta was handed the job.
Kroenke said: ”He knows our expectations and those of our fans around the world are high and we are confident he can play a lead role in taking the club back to the levels we all demand.”
Arteta also signalled he was well aware of expectations, just a few weeks after his new players were told Kroenke’s “winning formula”.
Arteta declared: ”We need to be competing for the top trophies in the game and that's been made very clear to me in my discussions with Stan and Josh Kroenke, and the senior people from the club.
"We all know there is a lot of work to be done to achieve that but I am confident we'll do it. I'm realistic enough to know it won’t happen overnight but the current squad has plenty of talent and there is a great pipeline of young players coming through from the academy.”
Whilst results have not yet delivered to the expected level, there has generally seemed to be more of a feel-good factor surrounding the Emirates.
Arteta has shown his ruthless side on numerous occasions and driven a clear-out of several big name stars.
Overall, the dressing room atmosphere appears to have improved, with hopes that will eventually manifest itself in terms of results to show they have found the Kroenke’s “winning formula”.
