Mikel Arteta is the new Arsenal head coach.
A position he could have had 18 months ago as he was heavily linked with succeeding Arsene Wenger who stepped down from his role as manager at the end of the 2017/2018 season.
That summer it looked like the former Gunners captain was to be appointed, only for Ivan Gazidis - chief executive at the time - to get his wish and turn to former Paris Saint-Germain boss Unai Emery instead.
One and a half seasons later and the north London outfit were once again looking for a new manager/head coach.
This time around, they didn't opt for experience as confirmation of Arteta's return to the Emirates Stadium came on Friday, but many have been wondering what things would have been like had Gazidis not got his way.
Now Arteta himself has revealed just how close he was to getting the job ahead of Emery.
"A little bit close," he said during his press conference at London Colney on Friday afternoon.
"It wasn't the right time. When things don't happen it's because it isn't the right time.
"The right time came now and I'm glad.
"I learned a lot from that experience as well. It was great to be part of a process of that nature and I was very prepared for this one.
"I think it helped.
"I think it was a very positive thing to happen."
Arteta's first game in charge will be against Bournemouth on Boxing Day.
This is because interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg will oversee the Gunners' next fixture on Saturday afternoon.
Although it is unclear yet whether Arteta will be in the stands or the dugout for the clash against Everton at Goodison Park.
