Mikel Arteta's telling admission about Arsenal's chances of winning silverware in the near future don't appear to marry up to Stan Kroenke's stated expectations.
The Gunners picked up their first win of the season with 6-0 drubbing of Championship side West Brom in the Carabao Cup this week.
Arsenal had lost both of their opening Premier League games and face the tough task of travelling to Manchester City this Sunday.
Having missed out on European football last season, the focus is very much on getting back into those qualifying places this term, while a chance of winning a trophy remains an outside shot.
And in fairness, Arteta has always been honest that it may take some time for Arsenal to get back to where they once were, though the Spaniard maintained they could still get back to that level.
Arteta declared after being handed the role: "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."
During Freddie Ljungberg's temporary spell in charge, Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke appeared to take some of the pressure off the Swede.
"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," said Kroenke.
"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.”
Just a few weeks later, Arteta was handed the job, and talk of raising the "levels" were immediately discussed.
Kroenke then 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."
It's clear that the club is a far cry from where either the Kroenke's or Arteta believes they should be.
But Arteta's long-term thinking could serve to help the Gunners as they continue to rebuild, especially after such a brilliant summer in the transfer market.
