This was an opportunity for Arsenal. This was a chance to make a statement, to win a game of football and push themselves in to the top four of the Premier League and up on to the shoulders of defending champions Liverpool.
It is a position Arsenal have not occupied for too long so you would think there would have been a hunger about Mikel Arteta’s players, a desire to take a significant stride forwards.
But no, there wasn’t enough of that here at the Emirates. There was not nearly enough.
Jamie Vardy bagged the winner to continue his habit of haunting Arsenal on Sunday, as Leicester beat the Gunners 1-0
This was an Arsenal performance that spoke not of potential – of which there is a vast amount in this squad – but instead pointed to remaining, deep-seated limitations.