When Arsenal exec Tim Lewis called Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish late on Wednesday afternoon to tell him that his club would meet the asking price for Eberechi Eze, he did so safe in the knowledge that with those words the deal was effectively done.
That with one sentence Tottenham – who had agreed terms with the gifted playmaker - would be instantly blasted out of the water. That in this particular North London battle it would be game over in the space of mere seconds.
The reality is that it this was more a surprise attack from the Gunners in what would never be a fair fight – and the real reason for that was not Daniel Levy’s negotiating techniques but the story of a 13-year-old who took to his bedroom and cried for a week.