Having laid down a statement to the rest of the Premier League with a win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Mikel Arteta believes his side's confidence should be sky high. "It’s another step for us I think," the Spaniard said in his post-match press conference after the Chelsea victory. "To come here against a top opponent, top world class players all over the pitch, dominate the game and actually win it is very meaningful. Hopefully it will give the boys even more belief."
But as Arsene Wenger famously once said, confidence goes up the stairs, but comes down by the elevator. One loss, and the perfect equilibrium that Arsenal have struck does feel ever so slightly at risk.
With this in mind Arteta faces a curious dilemma when it comes to rotating for Wednesday night's Carabao Cup clash with Brighton. Arsenal find themselves in the midst of an unexpected Premier League title charge, which, of course, is the priority, but does Arteta risk jeopardising the winning culture he's built up around the Emirates by not taking every game seriously?
