Steve Bould looked every bit a manager, as he led Arsenal to a 2-1 Champions League triumph away to Montpellier, with Arsene Wenger stuck in the stands having to serve a three-match touchline ban.
If Saturday's performance is anything to go by, Wenger will not have too many worries on not being able to control things from the bench. Lukas Podolski and Gervinho scored for the Gunners in the space of two minutes, after Montpellier had taken the lead through a penalty from Younes Belhanda.
Wenger's assistant has been credited for Arsenal's improvement in their defense this season, and that defense was put to a severe test by the French champions in the second half; the Gunners rearguard, however, coped with the pressure pretty well and went home with all three points.
"I am really pleased," Bould said after the match. "It was difficult. I thought we were excellent in the first half -- we kept the ball and kept the crowd really quiet.
"The second half was tough and we looked physically a little bit tired. The crowd got right behind them and it is quite an intimidating place to come and play, so we're glad to get the result.
"It's fabulous to get an early away win. We've had a decent start to the season and we have kept the run going so it is important all round, not just for the Champions League.
"We have got some tough games coming up. We have got great team spirit and I think that was evident tonight. Everybody is digging in and things are looking okay."
The former Arsenal defender refused to take all the credit for Arsenal's improving defensive work. "Any coach will tell you it is about being good players and we have got some good players who want to work," he said. "So far, so good.
"Everybody has spoken about myself but Neil Banfield gets missed and he does a great job, too. There are a lot of good coaches, there are great players and everybody is working hard. I think that is why we're doing okay at the minute."
Bould was happy with Olivier Giroud's performance, despite the striker failing to find the net against his former club. Giroud, though, laid on the equaliser for Podolski, who received much praise from the asisstant manager. "Olivier did a really good team job for us tonight," Bould said. "He is another one who works really, really hard for the team.
"At set-pieces he is fabulous. He defends and he works for the team. I think he only had one chance tonight at the near post that was difficult. He is a really hard-working boy and I'm sure the goals will come.
"Podolski has made a real impact. I have to say, I've not seen many finishers as good as him -- ever. In training, right foot, left foot -- he goes in at 100 m.p.h, which is fabulous. He's a good trainer, a good boy.
"He has really added something this year. I'm not getting involved in whether we are missing Robin, I wasn't involved at the time. Podolski is a good player."
Asked if he could get used to being the manager of Arsenal, Bould was not sure about how much he loved being under so much pressure. "I'm not sure I enjoyed it -- I've got a headache and a half! It is tough," he said.
"It's a different pressure than I've been used to taking the under-18s but we won and we had a great result."
