There was certainly no lack of creativity on show as Arsenal handed Slavia Prague their first home defeat in 18 months last Thursday.
With Nicolas Pepe, Emile Smith Rowe, Alexandre Lacazette and Bukayo Saka ripping their weary opponents limb from limb, a 4-0 victory securing a spot in the Europa League semi-finals, it was tempting to assume that Mikel Arteta had found the solution to Arsenal’s final third struggles.
But, as fans of this most inconsistent and erratic of sides will tell you, one swallow does not make a summer.
Would it really be a shock if Arsenal followed up their four-goal thumping in Prague with another sluggish display away at Fulham on Sunday?
At times this season, the Gunners have looked about as blunt as a rolling pin, failing to show any sort of cutting edge against deep-lying opposition. When Martin Odegaard returns to Real Madrid, that old problem may rear its head once again.
Unless, of course, Arteta, Edu and co can find a player with the vision of a Mesut Ozil, combined with Odegaard’s relentless work ethic in the transfer market.
Whisper it, but it seems that they succeeded.
Sky Italia reported in March that, with Hakan Calhanoglu yet to extend a contract which expires in July, AC Milan’s stylish Turkey international may be on his way to the Emirates.
With seven goals and 11 assists to his name, this is far and away Calhnoglu’s finest season at the San Siro. With Milan unwilling to meet his £85,000-a-week demands, it may be his last, too.
A set-piece specialist with a laser-like shot from the edge of the box, Calhanoglu has also produced the third most key passes in European football this season. His tally of 78 places the former Bayer Leverkusen ace ahead of Jack Grealish, Lionel Messi, Kevin de Bruyne and co, with only Bruno Fernandes and Memphis Depay higher up the list (WhoScored).
If Calhanoglu arrives, displays like the one in Prague on Thursday may become that little bit more frequent.
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