Mikel Arteta has pinpointed what is driving Arsenal's sudden resurgence since the November international break, having enjoyed impressive back-to-back victories.
The Gunners had been floundering before club football's recent pause, dropping points in four consecutive Premier League games and going on a run of just two wins in seven games across all competitions off the back of international break in October.
But since the last set of international fixtures, Arsenal have convincingly beaten in-form Nottingham Forest and inflicted Sporting CP's first defeat in nearly four months in some style.
Asked what has changed after the statement demolition job in Lisbon, Arteta said: "A lot."
And it has everything to do with having most of his players back from injury layoffs.
Martin Odegaard, Mikel Arteta
Martin Odegaard's return is a huge boost / Soccrates Images/GettyImages
Martin Odegaard is the most obvious example, pulling the strings in the last two games after previously missing 12 across all competitions with an ankle problem. But Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and others have been missing at one time or another. Now, only Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White are confirmed injury absentees.
"We were training with 11-12 players for a long period so they could not train and play, and then suddenly almost everybody is fit and available," Arteta explained.
"It's true, we are still managing certain players but their level is rising. I have no doubt we have the right ability, we are going to be a really good side."
However, there was one slight blot on Wednesday night in Portugal's capital. Centre-back Gabriel was withdrawn a few minutes before the end due to a potential problem.
Immediately afterwards, Arteta was unable to offer any details on the exact issue other than "some discomfort". But, for the time being it does make the Brazilian a doubt for the weekend's short Premier League trip across London to face West Ham United.
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