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Your weekly briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri
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Once Bukayo Saka put Arsenal in front just before the hour mark, the result felt almost inevitable.
A 1-0 win over Aston Villa delivered three more points and another clean sheet for Mikel Arteta's side, who kept their hosts at arm's length without ever really clicking into top gear.
Villa did not manage so much as a shot on target. They tried to rattle Arsenal in the challenges and turn this into a fight but it was one the Gunners relished.
The ten days between the win over Coventry and this trip to Villa Park have been filled with transfer speculation and talk of what could be done.
This, though, was a clear display of what Arsenal are: defensive monsters and the obvious title favourites.
This felt like more of the same from Arsenal for much of the night, a continuation of the formula that won them the title last season.
The first-half was almost a non-event. Arteta's side were rock solid at the back and gave up almost nothing, but there was not enough in the way of attacking thrust.
With a lack of pace in behind and it all being played in front of the Villa defence, it felt like Arsenal could really have done with the option of Gabriel Martinelli's pace.
He will complete his move to Al-Hilal before Tuesday night's transfer deadline and it remains uncertain whether the Gunners will reinforce in attack before the window shuts.
Arsenal relied on their defensive superpower last season rather than a superstar in attack and that was the case again here. Questions over the lack of a marquee signing in forward areas will remain.
However, this was further evidence of just how strong a squad Arteta does have at his disposal, even if Deadline Day proves a quiet one.
Eberechi Eze came on and immediately improved the left wing. Bruno Guimaraes changed how Arsenal played with his progressive passing, sliding in Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz.
