Mikel Arteta has sold his vision to Declan Rice and it has convinced Kai Havertz.
That is why Rice has made the Emirates his preferred destination over Manchester City - but it is now down to Arsenal to seize the opportunity to make sure they get the deal over the line.
City’s interest has cast a major doubt over Arsenal’s plans because, to lose Rice at this stage, would be to disrupt everything Arteta has been building towards.
Arteta wants to transform his midfield this summer with Rice and Havertz at the heart of his plans to try and build on their progress of last season.
That hard sell is the reason Havertz and Rice have wanted to come because Arteta is a good salesman who is able to convince players that they can chase down City in the long run.
Gunners boss Arteta views Havertz as being able to fill the No8 role in midfield which is a completely different position from his time at Chelsea.
Germany star Havertz is set to complete a £65m switch from Stamford Bridge where he so often played as a false nine, wide or just behind the attack.
But Havertz made his name in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen as a deeper lying player with the ability to scan the whole pitch and pick his passes and range with his outstanding technique.
West Ham captain Rice - now caught in the middle of a transfer war between Arsenal and City - is versatile, commanding and able to fill several roles.
And that versatility is something that Arteta absolutely loves in a player. It is something Arteta wants in his squad and believes players being adaptable and being able to play in different positions is a key component and strength.
Rice can operate as the No6, the holding midfielder, but also further forward and could be the ideal replacement for Granit Xhaka who will be allowed to join Bayer Leverkusen once the incoming deals are secured.
Towards the end of last season, Arsenal were also crying out for a ball playing defender when William Saliba got injured and Rice could have stepped in if necessary.
City boss Pep Guardiola has been a master at utilising players in different positions and that must have rubbed off on his former assistant Arteta.
But Arsenal’s midfield would also be more fluid with Rice and Havertz - and more attack-minded.
Thomas Partey is wanted by Italian clubs and there is interest in Saudi Arabia and, while he was superb in the holding role in the first two thirds of the season, his form and performances did tail off towards the end of the campaign.
Arsenal are also interested in Southampton ’s Romeo Lavia who has shown great promise and might be the alternative as the more traditional holding player.
But the rebuild and strengthening this summer is designed to give Arsenal options. They are closing in on a £40m-plus deal for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber.
Holland international Timber can play right back, centre half and inverted full back as he is very good on the ball. That would potentially free up Ben White to step inside and cover for Saliba.
There will be more potential outgoings with Rob Holding, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Folarin Balogun and Kieran Tierney being targeted and, with Partey and Xhaka also possible departures, Arsenal could bring in a lot of cash for further additions on top of the £180m they have to spend.
The Champions League is a game-changer in terms of what they can spend but they will also need a deeper squad to challenge on four fronts.
That is why the versatility and quality of players like Rice and Havertz is key - and why missing out on Rice would be unthinkable.
