It has not been a dull season at Arsenal.
Unai Emery was brought into replace the legendary figure of Arsene Wenger and life began with back-to-back defeats against Manchester City and Chelsea, but then came a 22-game unbeaten run across all competitions which had some dreaming of a Premier League title bid.
However, defeat at Southampton before Christmas triggered a dip in form - especially away from home - and season-ending injuries to Danny Welbeck, Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin has stretched the squad.
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The January transfer window offered a chance to bring in cover, but Emery revealed there was no funds available for any permanent signings and the club ended up bringing in Denis Suarez on loan.
There's also been the situation with Mesut Ozil. Left out of the squad completely at times which has been put down to injury and illness and nothing to do with his relationship with the Gunners head coach.
That coupled with an embarrassing Europa League defeats away at BATE Borisov and Rennes plus a lack of defensive improvement has prompted some supporters to question if the former Paris Saint-Germain boss is the right person to lead the side forward.
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Although, the Gunners are back in the top four hunt after taking four points from a possible six against Spurs and Manchester United and have a decent chance of sealing a return to the Champions League following a two-year absence with seven games remaining.
At this stage of the season that's realistically what fans could have hoped for back in August, so it does seem Emery is doing as well as he could have been expected to do in his first season in charge.
And there's four promising statistics which proves Arsenal are on the right track under the Spanish tactician.
1. Emery is matching Guardiola
Arsenal's 2-0 win over Newcastle United on Monday night was their 10th successive home win in the Premier League, something which has not been done at the north London outfit for over two decades.
Furthermore, only two clubs across the top flight of English football have won all seven home games in 2019 .
Current league leaders Manchester City and the Gunners. That's not bad company to be keeping.
2. Points total
After 31 games played, Arsenal have already matched last season's points total.
In addition, they're on course to equal their best points total in the past five years which is 79 and that was enough to seal a top four finish in the 2013/2014 season.
3. Clinical
According to Opta Stats , the Gunners have been ruthless in the Premier League this season.
Their conversion rate of 23.1% of shots resulting in goals this season (excluding blocked shots) is the highest of any team in any Premier League campaign since Opta first started analysing games in 1996.
Manchester City cruised to the title last season and had a conversion rate of 20.7%
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4. Better first season in England than Pep Guardiola
The Man City boss has come out on top in both of his meeting against Emery this season, but it wasn't too long ago when the ex-Barcelona manager was having a tough time in the Premier League.
His debut season in England ended with no trophies and his City side weren't even guaranteed a top four spot.
After 31 games in the 2016/2017 campaign, City had 61 points which is two fewer than what Arsenal have at the same stage this term.
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If the Gunners are able to be shrewd with their business in the summer, defend better and find some consistency on the road over the next 12 months then fans are in for a very exciting period in the club's recent history.
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