For a club that has twice occupied the bridesmaid’s spot in successive seasons – doing precious little wrong in pushing Manchester City all the way to the final day last year – it was notable there was a total absence of unknown names in Arsenal’s starting lineup for this season opener. Indeed, the only newcomer, the £42m Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori, was made to wait for his welcome after remaining on the bench.
No, this was an entirely familiar Arsenal outfit, guided by a manager insistent that wholesale changes are not required if they are to be crowned Premier League champions.
