Arsenal's spending spree in the summer was widely criticised by rival fans, with the consensus being that Mikel Arteta's side had spent a lot of money and not got bang for their buck.
Prices for the likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Ben White were seen as too high, while questions were asked regarding the recruits in other areas like Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares.
So far though, all is well as Ramsdale has been by far Arsenal's best performer this season and White has crafted an excellent partnership at the back with Gabriel Magalhaes.
On top of that, Lokonga has filled into the midfield slot alongside Thomas Partey well while Tavares, widely seen as an understudy down the left to Kieran Tierney, has managed to keep the Scotsman out of the side since his return from injury.
Tavares has exceed expectation, with the only negative so far being his struggles in the defeat to Liverpool at Anfield - although he isn't the first and certainly won't be the last to experience those woes.
The 21-year-old has benefited from Arteta's tactical shift this season, which has also occurred on the opposite side with Takehiro Tomiyasi, where the Spaniard appears to have replicated an approach he may have learnt from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
For Bukayo Saka's opening goal against Newcastle at the weekend, in which Tavares provided the assist, the Portuguese ace was in a much more central position than you would expect a left-back to find themselves in.
That would almost certainly have not occurred with Tierney who, despite being brilliant at both ends of the field, is rather rigid in terms of his positioning and will stick to the left-side like glue - which isn't a bad thing and will be required at stages this season.
With Tavares coming centrally, and Tomiyasu doing the same, it results in an absolute nightmare for the opposition - particularly as White has also shown a willingness to regularly drive forward with possession himself.
Movement into the middle may also drag in the opposition, leaving space out wide for the likes of Saka and Emile Smith Rowe to exploit.
It's something City have used to great effect with Joao Cancelo, widely regarded to be the best full-back in world football, and equally with Kyle Walker - although the latter is more of a defensive move with a three-man defence.
For Arsenal, it's something that has been required for a while. For far too long, Arsenal have been one dimensional in their approaches with just a single tactic. If that didn't work, they'd come unstuck.
That was certainly the case defensively too, with years where the back-four was simply what is was, with the understudies certainly not capable of putting in a significant challenge to those that lay ahead of them in the pecking order.
Tavares is breaking the mould in that respect, which should then drive Tierney to do better, and it's something that Arsenal need to replicate in other areas.
If Plan A doesn't work, a solid Plan B is necessary - and Arsenal may well be well into the alphabet with their versatility this season.
