If you look at the table below, they were clearly not a public team until midway through the season, but they didn't remain one for long. (sportsinsights.com)
Then you have the problem of it disrupting our team, losing our star player midway through the season. (justarsenal.com)
They had an influx of talent come in midway through the season and it really turned their season around. (allsportsseries.com)