The stats will have you believe Arsenal were overrun at Man City but this Gunners' performance was full of cunning and maturity... and shows how much they've grown in the last 12 months

The better teams have a variety of match-defining blueprints in the locker which they can turn to depending upon the opposition.

That’s not new, though the best also possess the nous to shun one’s ego when needed to.

For Mikel Arteta, that equal measure of fear and respect for his mentor Pep Guardiola and the formidable Manchester City was translated in the match statistics.

Arsenal had 27 per cent possession, 269 passes and 20 fouls. It contrasted to Man City’s 73 per cent possession, 690 passes and nine fouls.