For all the league’s masterful narrative advertising, no single match should ever define a league season. Arsenal were missing their two starting centre-backs, an issue soon to be resolved. Villa have now won seven matches in a row and taken 27 points from 30 in the league. This was a game Arsenal could afford to lose, the end of an impressive 18-match unbeaten run. It is not some sign of hidden rot, the first lump of a terminal decline. They are still the strongest team in the country, perhaps the world, with the fewest weaknesses, most impressive useful depth and the highest peak. Two winless away games does not change that. They scored the most set-piece goals in the league between August and October, then the most open-play goals in November. Perhaps best of all, Wolves visit next, a glorious palate cleanser, footballing sorbet.