Mikel Arteta will be increasingly confident that it's finally Arsenal's year, and he will have Andrea Berta to thank if they do end a 22-year title drought.
The Gunners moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League table on Sunday with a 1-0 win over a tricky Crystal Palace side. An example of a superb past summer transfer window is the acquisition of Eberechi Eze, who netted in his first game against his former club.
Eze was one of eight new faces to arrive at the Emirates in the summer, giving Arteta strength in depth that should lead to the title come May 2026. While everyone was getting carried away by Liverpool smashing the British transfer record twice, last season's runners-up were more effective on the recruitment front.
Arsenal Bank on Berta's Recruitment
Cristhian Mosquera in action for Arsenal
There were some concerns amongst Arsenal fans when Berta arrived as Edu Gaspar's replacement, given his track record of paying hefty fees for players who failed to live up to expectations at Atletico Madrid. Judging by the North Londoners' sensational run of form, losing just once across competitions, you have to say it's been money well spent by the Italian.
Eze started the Palace win his favoured number 10 position, handed the role in the absence of captain Martin Odegaard. Arteta isn't without injuries to his squad, and Odegaard was one of four players sidelined ahead of the Eagles' visit.
William Saliba looked to have joined that list when he was forced off at half-time, but Cristhian Mosquera (pictured above) came in and has proven to be an excellent backup. The Spanish centre-back put in a tidy performance to help keep Oliver Glasner's men at bay, and the hosts remain the best defensive side in Europe.
A similar scenario unfolded in the latter stages of the 2022-23 campaign when Saliba missed the final two months due to a back problem. There was nobody of Mosquera's calibre to fill the void left by the Frenchman, but that is no longer the case following Berta and Arteta's busy past summer.
Arsenal spent around £250m on new signings and all but two have made an impact since arriving at the Emirates. It bodes well heading into the winter and without the usual feeling of a need to add one or two new faces lingering.
Odegaard and Havertz
With the Gunners faring well in the absence of Odegaard, Kai Havertz, and Noni Madueke, it is starting to look spooky for their title challengers. The future is bright on the recruitment front with Berta and Arteta more aligned than ever.