Mikel Arteta's side were knocked out of the FA Cup by Southampton on Saturday but three days later they showcased their array of attacking qualities to comeback from a goal down to beat Saints away from home.
The pressure was mounting on Nicolas Pepe ahead of the game and the victory over Southampton will certainly silence some of those critics. He took his goal excellently and credit should go to Granit Xhaka for supplying the Ivorian with a wonderful through ball; the Swiss midfielder was outstanding once again in the middle of the park.
Pepe (3) has scored more goals than Manchester United forward Anthony Martial (2) this season, despite playing less than half the minutes. This was the match where he had to step up and show his credentials with the imminent signing of Martin Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid set to provide serious competition for his place in the starting line-up.
Emile Smith Rowe hobbled off towards the end and perhaps that is another reason why Odegaard's arrival represents even more importance as they look to strengthen their creative prowess in the final third.
Similarly, technical director Edu is in the market for a reserve left-back but the impressive performance of Cedric in a makeshift role there may change his mind. Cedric's accomplished performance against his former club was the perfect example of a player fulfilling what he was brought in to do - and his signing is beginning to look like a smart investment for Arsenal.
But the most pertinent question right now is whether Pepe will make way for Odegaard in this team. If the Norwegian plays in the hold behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, will Arteta look to deploy the former Lille man on the left hand side where he flourished against Saints?
There will be plenty of games and opportunities for both players to succeed but Arteta can be heartened by the fact that his team are now five points behind fourth placed West Ham, just a month after it looked like it was doom and gloom for a team languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League.
