Arsenal's journey from also-rans into serious Premier League title contenders is impressive by any measure but can be clearly illustrated by two games on Tyneside separated by almost 12 months.
As Mikel Arteta and his players took the acclaim of Arsenal fans perched high above St James' Park after an outstanding 2-0 win at Newcastle United, any notions that the Gunners would go quietly in the face of Manchester City's relentless charge for a fifth crown in six years receded further into the distance.
Arsenal once again showed a potent mixture of quality and sheer guts to prevail amid the sound and fury of a sensational atmosphere, the Toon Army high on raised expectations that their resurgence will be rewarded with a return to the Champions League next season.