Will Wenger’s masterplan finally pay?

It has been 11 long years since Arsenal won a league title, a drought that threatened Arsene Wenger’s popularity — and even his job — and led to serious questions about the underlying philosophy of a club that appeared to value beautiful football above winning football.

Now, however, the underlying long-term plan that lay hidden for much of that period is rising to the surface and starting to take the smirk off faces at Stamford Bridge, the Etihad and Old Trafford.

For the first time, perhaps, it is possible to visualise how Wenger saw the future when he learned just how restricted his transfer activity would be because of the huge debts taken on during the building of the Emirates Stadium. Remember, Arsenal’s first season in their new home was 2006-7, just two years after the Invincibles went an entire season unbeaten to be crowned champions.