After the chaos and cavorting came the cold-blooded calculations. Nobody of an Arsenal stripe was in a rush to let the headiness of Saturday’s momentous comeback against Bournemouth subside but, when it did, the fretfulness that lurks just beneath the surface of most clubs’ fanbases reared its head.
The rest of their campaign may come to resemble a Europa League sandwich and, with the precious gift of an improbable five-point lead in the Premier League looking too delicious to relinquish, the question was predictable: would it not be better for Mikel Arteta to ditch any quest for continental honours and go for broke at home?
