THERE was a lot to distract you from noting that Arsenal finished the last Premier League campaign in their lowest position for a quarter of a century. But by becoming just the fourth person to lift the FA Cup as a player and manager, Mikel Arteta was able to show that not only was this team packed with the talent, hunger and togetherness that was so often questioned. 

He also issued a riposte to his many doubters who dared suggest the job was too big for a man with no track record in the hot seat himself.

Since then, the Gunners have looked imperious, outshining champions Liverpool to clinch the Community Shield before winning both of their opening two league fixtures of the new campaign. Early impressions of their business in the transfer market have piled more hope onto the ambitions of a club that was in disarray 10 months ago after sacking their previous manager.