In the same week Arsenal suffered back-to-back defeats, Reiss Nelson was enjoying his first start for Feyenoord in the Europa Conference League.
Mikel Arteta's side looked toothless in attack in the second half of their 2-1 defeat to Everton as goals from Richarlison and Demarai Gray ensured the travelling supporters left disappointed.
It made it two defeats in two matches for the Gunners having lost to Manchester United four days earlier at Old Trafford - now a win against Southampton looks essential.
But as things grow tense in north London, in the Netherlands, Arsenal loanee Nelson is starting to enjoy himself.
The 22-year-old had found minutes at the Emirates Stadium hard to come by in recent seasons. The 2018-19 campaign was spent on loan in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim, while last term saw him spend most of his time with the reserves.
In total, he has made just 23 Premier League appearances since making his debut four years ago.
It was no surprise to see him jump at the chance at regular football in Europe, then. Although a groin injury and concerns over his fitness have seen him used predominantly as a substitute, Nelson's confidence is growing.
That came to a head on Thursday night when a clash with Maccabi Haifa in UEFA's youngest competition saw him make the most of a first start for the club.
Playing on the left wing, Nelson oozed confidence as he terrorised the Haifa defence, showing his abilities on both feet as he took the ball to the byline and cut inside onto his right with equal aplomb.
He was far from afraid and in the second half, drifted past two tackles with ease and carried the ball to the edge of a penalty, only to see his shot blocked by a desperate defender.
It was a relentlessly positive display, the first thought always being: 'how can I move the ball forward?' Arteta may well have something to ponder after seeing his team branded 'boring' in recent weeks.
A top performance was rounded off in the 65th minute as Nelson once again showed his two-footedness, charging at a terrified right-back before feinting beyond two more challenges and planting a shot into the bottom corner with his right foot.
Many Arsenal fans still harbour hopes of seeing Nelson fulfil his potential at the Emirates. But in the summer, he will have just one year remaining on his deal.
Whether or not cash in on his talents looks like becoming a very real quandary for Arteta and Edu very soon.
