Apparently, Arsenal aren’t as attractive a watch as last season. Apparently.
Much of the narrative this week has focused on Mikel Arteta’s apparent ploy to stifle Arsenal; to repress their attacking instincts in search of making them harder to beat. There was very little evidence of that edict here.
Instead, we caught glimpse of this vibrant Arsenal team in all its glory. Penetration, intensity and flair. And - most importantly - goals. Loads of them.
As messages go, this was emphatic as they come. Arsenal are through to the Champions League knockout stages - and they booked their passage with a display that will fire the frighteners up the rest of Europe.