Mikel Arteta's response was emphatic when asked what he considered the biggest factor in Arsenal's progress this season.
'Unity,' he said. 'Everybody aligned with the same purpose, the same determination and the same level of passion to achieve what we want to do.'
The improvement is clear enough with 51 points from 26 games, nicely poised in fourth. At the same stage last season they had 37 points and, the season before that, they were on 34.
Beyond numbers, it is true the club feels together and harmonious again.