Arsenal face a stern challenge in the final months of the season, as Mikel Arteta's side push for Europa League glory and European qualification from their Premier League standings.
Performances in the second half of the season, while still not at the level of consistency that is being targeted, have been a considerable improvement to the opening months of the campaign.
Progression to the quarter-finals of the Europa League has seen Arsenal hit their minimum expectations in the competition, with a route to the final plotted out with the Gunners due to face either Dinamo Zagreb or Villarreal, should they see off Slavia Prague in the next round.
Key to the improvement in performances has been the work conducted during the January transfer window where, despite the focus largely orientating around offloading high earners, a pivotal bit of business was completed with the signing of Martin Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid.
Odegaard, having taken a short while to adjust to the rigours of Premier League football and Arteta's style, has proven his worth - with the Norwegian scoring in the first leg of the Europa League victory over Olympiacos and in the Premier League against Tottenham.
His role has, however, led to Emile Smith Rowe being shifted to the left-side of the advanced trio in Arsenal's midfield - somewhere the Hale End graduate hasn't quite provided the same impact as he has done through the middle. Still, performances are promising.
With the twilight period of the season approaching, questions have inevitably been posed to Odegaard regarding his future and whether a permanent move to north London is on the cards.
Asked this week by VG what the situation is, the Norway international replied: “I haven’t thought about what’ll happen in summer. My deal with Arsenal is until the end of season. We’ll see what happens this summer. I’ve said things before that I still stand for: Stability and development are key words.”
Stability and development is something Arsenal have offered so far and there is a high possibility that Arteta will be able to tie up a permanent deal for Odegaard or for him to return for another season, just like Dani Ceballos.
However, there is more pressing work for Arteta and Edu to do on the market and a player in Odegaard's position should not be at the top of the list in regards to what needs to be done.
Defensively, there is still some issues and the likely exit of David Luiz will see the Gunners lose an experienced and respected member of the squad, while Hector Bellerin is also poised to leave.
On top of that, there are questions in the attacking third with both Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette due to enter the final 12 months of their contract - meaning another striker will likely be required to move to the club.
If Odegaard can be secured in addition to those necessary transfers, it would be a big success for Arsenal. However, if a deal cannot be completed, the Gunners can cope just fine with Smith Rowe ready to shine in the centre of the field once again.
There is a high expectation among fans that the 20-year-old will be handed the number 10 shirt that was left vacant by Mesut Ozil's departure in January, providing the homegrown hero with a boost in importance that was previously shown to Bukayo Saka when he was handed the number seven shirt last summer.
Smith Rowe, since first coming into the Premier League limelight in the Boxing Day victory over Chelsea, has shown that he is more than capable of carrying the mantle and responsibility - but there are also dangers.
Arsenal have seen Saka play an incredible amount of football this season and he's unlikely to get a significant break at the end of the season with the European Championships due to begin.
The risk of burn out and long-term injury issues are apparent but Arsenal have had to be reliant on Saka this season when others like Willian and Nicolas Pepe have not stepped-up.
Similar issues may occur with Smith Rowe if Odegaard does not return to the club, with options beneath the talented youngster considerably void - though this may be something Arteta looks to change this summer if he signs a forward who is also capable of playing a supporting role behind captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang through the middle.
The benefit of Smith Rowe is considerable though, as entering the market to sign a replacement for Odegaard would result in extremely high transfer costs - something Arsenal may not be able to afford, especially with the other business in the market that needs to be completed.
