"They haven't played against any team like this."
This was not the Newcastle United that a frustrated Mikel Arteta was used to facing at Emirates Stadium, as the Arsenal manager reflected on a goalless draw in January 2023.
Newcastle have had far more memorable results under Eddie Howe against the Premier League title challengers.
But this particular stalemate was viewed as a significant step forward internally, after dogged Newcastle refused to roll over, as they had previously, in north London.
It was a night where Newcastle ruffled one or two feathers.
Such was the visitors' determination to get a result, unused substitute Jamaal Lascelles was booked for obstructing an Arsenal throw-in late on, while the usually measured Howe confronted Arteta on the touchline after growing tired of the Spaniard's incessant complaints to the fourth official.
Just a few days later, the Newcastle head coach declared: "We're not here to be popular and get other teams to like us - we're here to compete."
However, his side have lost that edge as they prepare to return to the same ground on Saturday (17:30 BST).
With Newcastle languishing in 14th, and his future coming under increased scrutiny, Howe accepts they have become too easy to beat.
So what's going wrong?