Albert Sambi Lokonga made his senior international debut for Belgium on Thursday evening, with a second-half cameo as Roberto Martinez's side waltzed past Estonia in a 5-2 victory for their World Cup qualifier.
Arsenal's £18 million summer signing from RSC Anderlecht operated in a double pivot with Axel Witsel comprising the core to Belgium's synonymous back five formation - a similar shape to what Mikel Arteta has eyed recently.
The Gunners boss has endured a tough start to the season with the north London side sitting bottom of the Premier League without a goal nor point to their name.
However, despite Arsenal's form and inconsistencies, Arteta is seemingly preparing a return to a back five in the hopes of reviving his side's confidence and Lokonga will be hoping he's shown the Spaniard he has the necessary ingredients.
Following the £17 million deadline day arrival of Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna, Arteta, who has often enjoyed relative success in a back five, declared his early interest in the new shape.
The Spaniard supported his claims by using the system in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Brentford at London Colney which Arsenal won 4-0.
Lokonga primarily featured in the double pivot of a 4-2-3-1 at Anderlecht prior to his move, and has done so thus far for Arsenal, but faces a new challenge adapting to both Arteta's and Martinez's back-five shapes.
However, having not featured under Arteta's revamped blueprints, the 21-year-old was able to showcase and audition for his role in a double-pivot on the international stage.
Arsenal's number 23 did well after coming off the bench and sustained a confident 92.9% pass completion rate, showing the confidence on the ball that Arteta will demand during Granit Xhaka's suspension.
But, the Spaniard will be looking for more than just a healthy passing CV as Lokonga lays the foundations tactically to what Arteta may demand ahead of the Gunners' first game back versus Norwich.
The Arsenal boss has hailed the Belgian for his intelligence and tactical awareness poising the midfielder's nicely maiden start in the new formation under Arteta.
"Albert is a very intelligent player who has shown great maturity in his performances during his development,” Arteta said after Lokonga's arrival was confirmed.
Arteta added: “He has been coached well by Vincent Kompany and his team at Anderlecht. I know Vincent very well and he talks so highly about Albert and the positive impact he had to Anderlecht in recent seasons.”
