Mikel Arteta went into Sunday's North London derby hoping his players would adjust to his enforced changes and they did just that in the 1-0 win at Tottenham.
Arsenal were without the suspended Declan Rice and injured Martin Odegaard for the trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The double loss was compounded by the fact that Mikel Merino and Oleksandr ZInchenko - two others who might have been able to deputise in the middle of the field - were also unavailable.
Arteta responded by bringing Jorginho into midfield and adding Gabriel Martinelli to the starting XI, with Leandro Trossard's responsibilities changing a little. The winning goal came from elsewhere, though, with centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes heading home his first of the season.
The result took Arsenal to 10 points, just two behind league leaders Manchester City. They will meet City in their next league game, with Rice available again, and Arteta spoke after the derby game about how impressed he was with his depleted squad.
"It's unbelievable, I don't know when it happened in our history," the Spaniard told Match of the Day. "After the international break, we had a few blows. How the team reacted was magnificent. It showed a lot of maturity from the team.
"When they get into the final third, it's very difficult because they have a structure. We were missing vital players and we had to react to that. I'm very pleased.
"We had to adjust and use different players and qualities. I was hoping they would do something with the ball and we did it. Sometimes better than others. They are a really good side.
"When we have to defend in deeper areas, we did it really well. There are things to improve but we have another victory here and it's huge. I know how our supporters will feel about this so enjoy it."
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Before the match away to City, Arsenal will kick off their Champions League campaign against Atalanta in midweek. Gian Piero Gasperini's side won themselves on Sunday, twice coming from behind to beat Fiorentina at home.
Mateo Retegui, Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman were on target for the reigning Europa League champions. It was a welcome response after they went into the international break with a 4-0 defeat away to Inter Milan.
Arsenal's win at Tottenham, meanwhile, was their third on the spin at their opponents' stadium. They won 2-0 in January 2023 and 3-2 at the tail end of last season, and have lost just one of the last eight meetings home and away.
"You know how bad the fans want to win this game but it's the same for every game," defender Jurrien Timber told Match of the Day. "You prepare for every game the same way but it felt really nice winning this one."