Mikel Arteta has explained which of Arsenal's problems he had to fix first, as he aims to bring Arsene Wenger 'closer' to his resurgent squad.
The Gunners recovered from a disastrous start to the 2021-22 season to rise back to within touching distance of Champions League qualification with 14 games to play. Victory over Wolves on Wednesday made it three-straight victories.
Arteta seemed to be on the brink at various points this season and last, but his 'process' finally looks to be being implemented – and the fans are back on board.
'I think (the relationship with fans) was pretty damaged and the disconnection was there,' Arteta told Amazon Prime.
'I had two priorities, one was to set the right culture in the club. The second, is to establish that connection. Without those two things I don't think you can do anything sustainable.'
More than a decade of mis-management and steady decline hit rock-bottom last season, as Arsenal sunk to back-to-back eighth-place finishes in the Premier League, failing to qualify for a European place for the first time in 26 years, after falling short in the FA Cup too.
Arsene Wenger oversaw much of the Gunners' deterioration during the second half of his 22-year reign, and has largely steered-clear of north London since being hounded out by fans in 2018.
Perhaps sensing Gooners are feeling a little less sensitive about the Frenchman four years on, the former midfielder is working to bring Wenger back into the fold.
'With Arsene I have a really special relationship,' the Spanish coach added.
'He's been away too long and we want to bring him much closer. We had a talk and I think he's in the right place.
'For us as a team and me personally it'd be a massive help to have him much closer.