So a point a piece at Pompey, and there’s no doubt which side’s point is the more useful. Credit to Portsmouth who have emerged from their season-long rut at the right time, but Arsenal fans will see it as two points dropped.

Principally because, although we did not create millions of chances, there were two of three absolute sitters, golfing gimmes, all missed by Ade Cool. Had only one of those been taken when the score was 1-0 then the scoreline would have been different. Obvious thing to say, but I think you know what I mean.

Loads of changes can’t have helped either – in came Djourou, Campbell, Diaby and Song. The surprising inclusion of the latter lent our midfield a very youthful air, too much so perhaps. Not that it affected Diaby, who was excellent throughout. Unfortunately, neither Reyes nor Ljungberg made many inroads on the flanks.

So anyway, whatever the plusses and minuses of the patched up side Wenger put out, the fact is that fourth, at the current reckoning, is slipping away from us.

But it’s far from foregone, and all games are now crucial, without exception. Not least Saturday – if we beat the Baggies and Totterers are held, or lose, away at Everton, then we’re neck and neck once again. Should they win, then the psychological boost that would give them might swing it permanently their way, especially as our game against them is sandwiched between our two games against Villarreal.

In a word, it’s interesting. Though perhaps not the kind of interesting I’d have settled for at the beginning of the season.