No side, perhaps, are quite so aware of how much each point matters as Arsenal. It’s only September: to speak of key moments in the title race at this stage feels exaggerated, even anachronistic. But there’s no denying this was a huge win for Mikel Arteta’s side if only because, had they not won, it would have felt like a huge opportunity missed – and Arsenal in recent seasons have become a side who have not taken their chances.
That they began the weekend five points behind Liverpool was more to do with the fixture list than any great shortcoming on their part; losing away to the champions and drawing at home against Manchester City, even if there were reservations about the nature of the performances, are not in themselves terrible results. Nor could anybody have been too critical if they’d dropped points at Newcastle, particularly given their recent record at St James’ Park. But Liverpool’s defeat at Crystal Palace had given Arsenal the opportunity to move within two points at the top; not to have leapt on their slip up would have played into the narrative that Arsenal do not have the edge of champions.
