“One Arsène Wenger” was the chant that rang around the Emirates. Sitting up in the directors’ box the old master obliged with a wave. Gabriel Martinelli had just put Arsenal in front, some of the football was reminiscent of their glory years and, on his first visit since departing emotionally in 2018, the architect of those times would have been forgiven a sense that the good old days were coming back.
Perhaps they really are. Saïd Benrahma’s first-half penalty could have blown Arsenal off course here: maybe the Premier League’s hiatus had checked them in their stride and forced a more realistic view of their title credentials. Prompted by the brilliant Martin Ødegaard, they responded through Bukayo Saka and, after Martinelli’s pivotal strike, Eddie Nketiah, to maintain the idea that their place at the summit is no mere dalliance.
