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Bukayo Saka dazzled as a No.10 for Arsenal during an enthralling 45-minute cameo during the 4-0 FA Cup fourth-round demolition of Wigan Athletic on Sunday
Was it a glimpse into Arsenal's exciting future? Or was it simply just a last-minute solution to Riccardo Calafiori's latest fitness setback?
Only time will tell but one thing is for certain; Bukayo Saka caught the eye in a new role as the Gunners' No.10 during Sunday's FA Cup thrashing of Wigan Athletic.
The truth is, it wasn't an entirely new position for Saka, who featured as an attacking midfielder in a 2-1 loss to Brighton back in 2020 during the launch of Project Restart.
The England international impressed in a central role, hitting the crossbar from a long-range strike before also providing an assist for Nicolas Pepe.
Outside of that, it goes without saying that Saka has predominantly featured from the right, outside of the odd cameo from the left, for both club and country.
While it was relatively easy to pick holes in Wigan's leaky defence, the 24-year-old put on a clinic during the first-half against the Latics, showcasing his exceptional dribbling and creative qualities.
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Given Mikel Arteta is already stacked with options at No.10 - captain Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Eberechi Eze and even Ethan Nwaneri when he returns from his six-month loan spell with Marseille - a change of position has never truly felt necessary.
However, long-term, there's a real argument that Saka's evolution as both a player and leader, coupled with his technical qualities, could eventually see him make the permanent switch inside to the centre of the pitch.
Such change would also provide Max Dowman with a clear pathway into the Arsenal starting XI. The red-hot 16-year-old has plenty of hoops to jump through before he's a first-team regular but his potential is undeniable and he's at the perfect club to develop.
The prospect of Dowman becoming one of the team's key figures, alongside Saka, is a mouthwatering one which will also strike fear into opposition defences.
While slick dribbler Dowman can also operate centrally, his best position is coming inside from the right onto his left foot.
But should Saka remain a staple out wide, it's hard to see how Arteta can successfully accommodate the duo within the same team and attacking line-up.
The razor sharp teenager needs to continue building senior experience as for the meantime, Saka remains one of the best wide forwards in all of world football and he's yet to have reached his peak.
It would be naive to suggest one sparkling 45-minute cameo against Wigan would point towards an immediate change of position but moving forward, it's definitely fair to reflect there's a genuine chance he'll be utilised centrally more frequently in years to come.
There is no better player for Dowman to learn from while he is sharpening his tools as Saka's consistency sets a very high bar to follow.
The beauty of the beast Arteta has created in north London is that the squad is so competitive and stacked with top-class profiles.
Over the course of a long season, Arsenal undoubtedly need every player to contribute towards the greater goal, not forgetting Noni Madueke, who has pushed Saka admirably since arriving from Chelsea last summer.
Some quarters of the fanbase have been sceptical about whether it's viable to squeeze Saka and Dowman into the same starting XI but there will come a day when Arteta has no other choice because they are two stars of the highest calibre and will both prove integral for the club moving as they forwards into a bright future.
Arsenal's right flank looks set to remain one of the most devastating in all of world football.
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