u/SerialGooner49

After that 8–2 humiliation at Old Trafford on 28th August 2011, Wenger went into the market and, within 48 hours, signed Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker before the window shut

At the time, they were just two experienced players brought in to stabilise a team that had just been battered 8–2.

But look at what happened afterwards…

Arteta eventually returned to Arsenal as manager and became the person responsible for rebuilding the club, changing the culture and turning Arsenal back into title contenders.

Mertesacker stayed at the club after retiring and became the head of the academy, Hale End went through a massive rejuvenation and renaissance. One of the players to come through it was Bukayo Saka who eventually became one of the most important players in Arsenal’s title winning team.

Then you have the next generation coming through under the same structure and foundations Per and Mikel have put into place with Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Dowman and others our future has never looked more secure.

Football can be mad sometimes.