Those days when possession was nine-tenths of the Arsenal way are no more and manager Mikel Arteta makes no apologies.
There have been too many times when they stood by the principles forged under Arsene Wenger, only for stronger teams to tear them apart. It has happened regularly at Liverpool, where Arsenal have conceded 30 goals in eight games in all competitions and not won for eight years.
Arteta witnessed it at close quarters when he was captain, suffering in the heart of midfield, and he has been determined to address it as the manager.