Two down, 11 to go on Arsenal’s dash down the gauntlet. Just 42 days separate last weekend’s derby win and their final fixture before the World Cup.
It is a punishing run that continues against Liverpool on Sunday and should tell us more about Arsenal’s mettle and aspirations than any of their nine victories this season.
So far, so good: comfortable wins over Tottenham and Bodo/Glimt.
Unfortunately, the pain has barely set in. Four days separated those home games. There will be no such luxury between now and November 12.