In the hours before this battle, there seemed only one decision for Mikel Arteta to ponder. It came at left back: Oleksandr Zinchenko or Kieran Tierney?
It was a choice that would signal everything about Arsenal’s intent: after all of the progress and positive signs, would they stick or twist?
Tierney could offer more defensive solidity against Mohamed Salah, Zinchenko provides more control and attacking threat.
Arsenal got off to a perfect start when Gabriel Martinelli put them ahead after 58 seconds
In the end, Zinchenko was injured but Arteta still sprung a surprise: he plumped for Takehiro Tomiyasu.