Arsenal will enter the north London derby on Sunday on an even keel and, given their propensity for wild ups and downs, that should not be taken for granted. They have often seemed allergic to meeting the barest minimum expectation in recent years, so a third successive win will serve Mikel Arteta admirably, regardless of their opponents’ merits.
Although it will be a distant memory by the time Spurs’ visit is dissected, a routine dismissal of AFC Wimbledon delivered enough to keep things ticking over, earning a fourth‑round tie against Leeds and guaranteeing more competitive action for at least some of the fringe players deployed here.
Continue reading...