For all those who view set-piece goals as a lesser currency, is there any scenario so rich in possibilities as a dead ball in Arsenal’s favour? While the snobs count their tears over that one, Mikel Arteta can busy himself with the crunching of other numbers.
With quarter of the season now complete, his side sit four points clear of Bournemouth, have six on Manchester City and are proving by the game that nothing beats a good routine and even less beats their defence.
Not a bad combination, everything considered, and not a bad weekend, either.