Football has slowly become an increasingly tactical, predictable game over recent years, with top teams copying each other's styles and a pivot to more physicality rather than technical flair.
Arsenal have come to typify that, and that’s the reason that almost every big game, including against Liverpool, has ended up being underwhelming for the neutral, expecting goals and excitement.
Call it Pep Guardiola's influence, a lack of ingenuity or simply an optimisation of tactics and game states backed by data, but the game is crying out for creativity, and the Gunners are no different.
The good thing is the Arsenal hierarchy recognises that.
In England's 2-0 win over Andorra on Saturday evening, Thomas Tuchel's side struggled to fashion a high volume of quality chances, and the scoreline ended up looking somewhat disappointing.
It wasn't a vintage display, but it was new Arsenal signing Noni Madueke who showcased the most threat, forcing the opening goal through a deflected cross and setting up three good chances.
Madueke sometimes struggles to convert his final actions into goals, assists and clear-cut chances, but one aspect of his game you can never question is his directness.
Eberechi Eze is another new signing with these traits, always looking to beat a man and produce a decisive moment. We saw that even in his short cameo against Liverpool and his arrival, alongside Madueke, suggest Arsenal are looking for more unpredictability.
The shift to a more tactical game is also part of the reason Gabriel Martinelli is struggling.
Years of being conditioned within Mikel Arteta's structured tactics have slowly led to him losing his spark and his confidence. We’ve seen similar with Jack Grealish at Manchester City over the years, and most recently, his return to form now that he’s been freed at Everton.
It's also why we saw a lot of Ethan Nwaneri in the second half of last season and Max Dowman at the start of this, bringing fresh ideas and fresh solutions to liven games up.
Arsenal will continue to rely on their solid defensive foundations, and rightly so, but we may be about to see a more maverick-focused attacking approach with the club recognising the need for attacking excitement.
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