It's two years since Arsenal made the bold call to bring in their former skipper Mikel Arteta as their new boss.
On December 20 2019, the inexperienced Spaniard took over at the Emirates with the Gunners struggling in 10th in the Premier League.
Arteta did not guarantee an instant turnaround when he first took charge but fans are now seeing the rewards of the gradual evolution of his squad.
The 39-year-old has jettisoned some high profile accomplished stars, while prioritising the development of some prestigious young talents.
Only three players who started his first game, a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth two years ago, made the lineup for the demolition of Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday.
Here, Mirror Football reflects on Arteta's first starting XI as Gunners boss.
Bernd Leno
Bernd Leno may wear the number one shirt under Arteta but he is now firmly number two under Arteta.
Summer signing Aaron Ramsdale has ousted the German for a starting spot between the sticks and is one of the league's most in-form shot-stoppers.
Leno performed well for Arsenal during a turbulent period but is currently warming the substitutes bench and has some job on his hands to regain his starting spot.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Maitland-Niles started at right-back in Arteta's first game in charge but the utility man is now on the periphery of the Gunners squad.
The England international looked destined to leave North London this summer only to be assured of more game time by Arteta.
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But that has not materialised with most of the youngster's game time coming off the bench.
His future is again in the spotlight as the January transfer window fast approaches.
David Luiz
Luiz became a laughing stock among rival fans after a series of horror shows in defence before his Emirates exit.
But he can have fond memories of playing a huge role in the club's 14th FA Cup triumph.
Luiz's contract expired this summer and he made his return to Brazil, where he is now plying his trade for Flamengo.
Sokratis
The defender left Arsenal by mutual consent this January six months before his contact expiry.
He is now back in his native Greece playing for Olympiacos.
Sokratis was earmarked as an important signing after joining from Borussia Dortmund but rarely stood out in a poor defence during Arteta's early reign.
Bukayo Saka
It's been quite the rise for Saka who started Arteta's reign as a left-back for the Gunners.
He has since become a star of the England national team and is one of the most important figures in Arteta's side.
Saka has developed into a versatile attacking player and is one of several young stars Arteta can build his side round.
Granit Xhaka
Xhaka was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy in the final days of Unai Emery's ill-fated term.
The Switzerland international has come along way since retaliating against fans' boos at the Emirates in October 2019 and is still an important part of Arteta's midfield.
He has resurrected his Gunners career and will have a key role in a top four battle in the second part of the season.
Lucas Torreira
Torreira was arguably the standout player in Arteta's first match at Bournemouth but is no longer in the manager's first-team plans.
He spent last season out on loan at Atletico Madrid and this season he is enjoying another loan spell, this time at Fiorentina.
The Uruguayan midfielder is expected to be sold when his loan move expires in the summer.
Mesut Ozil
Ozil's omission from Arteta's plans was a huge topic of debate and the Spanish boss was asked a barrage of questions relating to his absence.
It is not completely clear why Ozil was frozen out entirely under Arteta, but it was one of a number of big calls he has made since taking charge.
The playmaker was left out of last season's first-team squad list and eventually joined Turkish side Fenerbahce in January, where he has scored six league league goals this season.
Reiss Nelson
Nelson has been knocking on the door for a long time at Arsenal but is yet to get his big break.
He started as a winger in Arteta's first game, but has not progressed in the same way as Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli.
The forward is currently out on loan at Feyenoord and will have huge competition for a first team place when he returns to North London.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Aubameyang recently became the latest player to be stripped of the Arsenal captaincy in perhaps Arteta's biggest call since taking charge.
The 32-year-old has been frozen out for a disciplinary breach and it looks a long road back into becoming relied upon again in North London.
His confidence was low before his removal from the first team and Arteta could look to jettison a senior player who has 18 months left on his current deal.
Alexandre Lacazette
Lacazette is one of three players who has stood the test of time of Arteta's first and most recent starting side.
The Frenchman is not the long-term solution to Arteta's striker plans but continues to perform alongside several exciting young attacking stars.
He has scored four goals in all competitions this season and is a top contender to take over as captain until the end of the season.
