Arsenal may currently be the best team in England but there remains sharp focus on the future in north London beyond this season.
The Gunners returned to the top of the Premier League table last time out with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Aston Villa to end a run of five games without a win. The triumph in the Midlands came at a perfect time for Mikel Arteta's side after they, hypothetically, seemed to lose grip on their first Premier League title in 19 years.
Last week's defeat to Manchester City came with it an aura of disappointment inside the Emirates Stadium. Pep Guardiola's side produced a telling question to their league rivals with a 3-1 win in London, but failed to back the result up in Nottingham. Another twist in the battle.