When the full-time whistle blew, a second or two after Bernd Leno had diverted Philippe Coutinho’s free-kick away with his most significant intervention of the game, Arsenal’s players merged into a huddle. A few yards away their supporters celebrated as if this was more than a mere three points and they were probably right.
Arsenal had needed to pass this test and they did it with conviction: they gave Aston Villa nothing for an hour, and little more after that, while giving a convincing impression of a side that will hold on to fourth place. They may fall the wrong side of the margins against Liverpool and Manchester City, but they are barely missing a beat against anyone else.
