It would be a touch too hyperbolic to suggest this was a season-defining afternoon for Arsenal’s title ambitions, but given the opposition and the pre-match drama surrounding this game, there was no doubting that come full time this felt like a significant afternoon in the Premier League title picture.
Two points from three games is hardly compelling enough evidence to prompt full-blown crisis talks, but given the lofty standards Arsenal have set in the first half of this season, it felt as though we would learn plenty about them here . This against a team who have lost once since the start of December and with a ferocious home crowd behind them.
Fifteen minutes before kick-off Bukayo Saka picked up a hip problem in the warm-up, but to the visitors’ credit, they navigated a tricky test to return to winning ways in emphatic fashion.
What would have likely been most encouraging for Arsenal, aside from the result, was the man who replaced Saka. Noni Madueke’s goal contributions have fallen firmly under the spotlight in recent days, as have the entirety of the Arsenal attack. At one stage on Saturday, own goals were their joint-highest Premier League scorer this season.
But thiswas a coming of age for Madueke in an Arsenal shirt. His sumptuous cross allowed Martín Zubimendi to head the visitors into the lead midway through the first half and in the 38th minute the winger’s corner was punched into his own net by Karl Darlow, who had an afternoon to forget.
