Arsenal and Emile Smith Rowe's 2020/21 season changed with a 3-1 win over Chelsea on Boxing Day.
Despite a perfect winning record in the Europa League group phase, the Gunners were struggling in the Premier League prior to the festive period with talk of them being involved in a relegation battle.
But manager Mikel Arteta made a bold decision for the home game against Chelsea - one that paid off in a big way.
Smith Rowe was somewhat of a surprise name in the Arsenal starting lineup that evening as he benefited from Willian's absence to get his chance in the no.10 role behind Alexandre Lacazette.
Whilst he did not get on the scoresheet at the Emirates Stadium, he did provide the assist for Bukayo Saka's goal and the playmaker caught was described by former Gunners defender Alex Scott as "the creative player Arsenal have needed this season".
"I think they deserve to keep their place going forward," Scott said on Sky Sports. "You have to earn your right to play. Every single one of the youngsters I was looking at their age.
"Smith Rowe, I think Arsenal have been crying out all season for a creative player and he showed he deserved his place today.
"At 20 he has come through the ranks. They've got [Reiss] Nelson, [Bukayo] Saka who was outstanding.
"And I think in Kieran Tierney, they have brought in a player for £25m. An absolute bargain.
"This bunch of players is what you need to build on with Arsenal going forward."
Smith Rowe has become undroppable for Arteta in the Premier League since that win over Chelsea, starting the next seven games in a row and weighing in with two more assists.
Reflecting on events ahead of his first league start of the campaign, the 20-year-old has admitted that he thought he was in trouble before learning of Arteta's plans.
"I found out I was in the starting XI against Chelsea on the day of the game," he told Arsenal media. "I had a knock on my hotel room door and it was one of the coaches basically saying 'the manager would like to speak to you downstairs.
"I was thinking 'am I in trouble, have I done something wrong?' So I've gone down there and he's sat down in a chair and kind of just looked at me and said 'I've got good news, you're starting tonight', he had the tactics board in front of him and showed me where I was playing and what I should do. He gave me so much confidence.
"I was so surprised, my heart was beating so quickly, it was such a big game against a big team like Chelsea.
"I was really nervous, but at the same time it was a big moment."
