We may be just two games into the new season, yet the manner of this victory for Arsenal possessed an air of significance.
They weren’t at their best and won. They were made to play the final 22 minutes with 10 men after Takehiro Tomiyasu foolishly picked up two red cards in seven minutes still left Selhurst Park with three points.
What is it they say about football teams that win matches without being at their best.
Of course, there’s a long way to go before we can genuinely categorise Arsenal as Manchester City’s closest rivals.