As an autumn sun set on the Emirates, Arsenal were staring at the prospect of the lights going out on their Premier League season. Seemingly on the verge of losing to yet another big rival without scoring a goal, Mikel Arteta and his players could already see Liverpool disappearing over the crest of a hill at the top of the table.
With a visit to Newcastle - where they don't always do well - to come next Sunday, Arsenal were facing another long week of soul searching. Another defeat in the north-east and it would have been time to put a big ring round the dates of the two domestic cup finals.