Since he took the manager's job over five years ago, there have been several players who have helped shape Mikel Arteta's tenure at Arsenal.
There was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who went from FA Cup hero to outcast; Bukayo Saka, who's gone from Hale End prospect to talismanic winger, and even David Raya, who many viewed as unnecessary to start but is now unquestionably one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
However, one of the most important players during the Spaniards' time at the club was Granit Xhaka, who went from public enemy number one to a firm fan favourite under his watch.
Granit-Xhaka-arsenal-premier-league
While there isn't anyone in the squad quite as far gone as the Swiss star was at his lowest, there is an international who could experience a similar revival of fortunes this season.
Xhaka's fall and rise at Arsenal
Arsenal signed Xhaka for around £34m in the summer of 2016, and while he wasn't terrible, it would be fair to say that his first few seasons at the club were unremarkable from a performance perspective.
xhaka-arsenal
However, due in part to his experience, combativeness and the respect he had from his teammates, he was made club captain in September 2019, under Unai Emery.
Unfortunately, he was given the armband during a particularly poor run of form for the team, and when he was substituted off in a game a month later, he responded to the baying Emirates crowd by swearing at them and then throwing his shirt to the floor.
For all intents and purposes, it looked like his Arsenal career was over, and were it not for Arteta, who would be appointed a couple of months later, it would have been.
The former Borussia Mönchengladbach star later admitted that it was the former player who convinced him to stay, and it was a good thing he did, as over the next few years, he would regain the trust of the fans.
Xhaka's Arsenal career
Season
16/17
17/18
18/19
19/20
20/21
21/22
22/23
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, in September 2022, in a game away at Brentford, the away supporters finally began to sing the midfielder's name, something he clearly appreciated.
It was that season that the Basel-born titan reached his zenith in red and white, scoring nine goals and providing seven assists in 47 games as the club launched a surprising title charge.
He would grab himself a brace on the final day of the campaign in front of a packed Emirates that serenaded him for much of the game, highlighting just how far he'd come since that incident against Crystal Palace.
In all, Xhaka's story at Arsenal is one of revival, and based on what we've just seen, there could be another Gunners' star who experiences something similar this season.
The Arsenal star due a revival this season
With the way Arsenal have started this season, it would be difficult to name too many players who could need reviving, although one that comes to mind is Gabriel Martinelli.
The Brazilian "monster," as journalist Mark Mann-Bryans once dubbed him, joined the club all the way back in 2019, and while he battled with a number of injuries, there was plenty of excitement over the sort of player he could become.
After all, in the 21/22 season, when he was still just 20 years old, he managed to rack up an impressive tally of 12 goal involvements in 36 games for the club.
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli celebrates after Newcastle United's Fabian Schar scores an own goal and Arsenal's second
However, it was in the following campaign that he really announced himself as a tremendously promising attacking talent, when he scored 15 goals and provided seven assists in 46 games, playing a significant role in the club's title charge.
Unfortunately, as things stand, that season remains his best as an Arsenal player, as the following year he mustered up eight goals and five assists in 44 games, and then last season he scored ten goals and provided six assists in 51 games.
With mediocre numbers like that, it's hardly a surprise that the club went out and signed Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, who, considering the Brazilian has started one game this season, now appear to be ahead of him in the pecking order.
However, it is not all doom and gloom, as there is clearly still a talented player there, and we saw it on Tuesday night when he scored a brilliant goal against Athletic Bilbao and then provided an assist for Leandro Trossard.
Martinelli goals per season Arsenal (timeless)
Now, we aren't saying that he should now start the next game, or that he should even start the ones after; instead, his cameo on Tuesday showed how he can still have an important place in the squad: as an impact squad.
In fact, Arteta doesn't even call them that anymore; he told the press that he prefers the term "finishers" and that "the finishers are going to be more important this season than the starters."
Martinelli-Arsenal
Whether that's actually true or not, it does suggest that the former Martinelli still has a massive role to play for Arsenal, and that while some wanted him sold in the summer, the manager could help make him a crucial part of the team again, like he did with Xhaka.