A scene on Hornsey Road in north London, a year or so back, said a lot about what Mikel Arteta has restored to Arsenal.
He had made a slightly early departure from the Emirates after the 2-0 win over Leicester City and when the lights turned to red, his Audi was briefly besieged by autograph-hunters and supporters of all ages, essentially wanting to tell him: ‘Thank you. You’ve brought us joy.’
The smile on his face reflected the mood of an afternoon in which his young, substantially English side had displayed something frequently overlooked in football.