It's unusual for a player to have come second in the fans' player of the season awards but still be facing questions over his starting position going into the next campaign.
But after the impeccable form of Emi Martinez towards the end of last season that was the case for Bernd Leno at the beginning of 2020/21.
Those murmurs of concern began to grow a little louder after softly conceded goals against Liverpool and Manchester City, and a passing error that gifted Rapid Vienna a brief lead in the Gunners' opening Europa League group game.
But since then the German has quietly found form at a time when Arsenal needed him the most.
Successful managerial careers often have sliding doors moments.
There is the famous tale of how Sir Alex Ferguson was one game away from being sacked at Manchester United, before Mark Robins nodded in a winner at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round in 1990.
As Chelsea won a penalty with the game heading into added time on Boxing Day, it felt equally seismic.
Score and Jorginho would have given Frank Lampard's side the momentum going into five minutes of extra time against a fatigued Arsenal side who had given everything.
Mikel Arteta was already facing calls for his job and if his side had allowed a three goal lead to slip at home in the space of ten minutes that surely would have been curtains for the Gunners boss.
Instead though, Leno saved it, and hasn't looked back since.
With four clean sheets in a row, including the German's first at home in the Premier League since March on Thursday night against Crystal Palace, Leno's upturn in form has mirrored that of the rest of his team who have gone from relegation battlers to European contenders in the space of four matches.
Speaking after the Palace game, Mikel Arteta admitted that the shutouts have been the foundation upon which his side's recent resurgence has been built.
"Well it is very positive because that’s the foundation to win any game," he said of Arsenal's recent record.
"That gives you a great opportunity to go and win every single game."
Despite having little to do in the matches against Newcastle and Crystal Palace, Leno has shown the concentration required to pull off excellent saves in both.
The first from Andy Carroll in the 92nd minute of the FA Cup third round tie with Newcastle exhibited what proved to be match-winning bravery, while the second from Christian Benteke against Palace was vital to ensuring confidence didn't drop again after such a good run.
The German's contribution is being recognised by his team-mates as well.
"Bernd is a great goalkeeper," said Hector Bellerin after the Palace game. "He always has two or three saves that saves us every single game."
Last season competition was fierce which posed a difficult challenge, but with the back up less secure this time around it has arguably posed an even tougher challenge for Leno to overcome.
With Runar Alex Runarsson looking far from convincing, the 28-year-old knows that many of the hopes of his team lie on his shoulders this season.
If recent weeks are anything to go by though, Leno is more than ready to take on that responsibility.
