Not for a moment did the six goal margin Arsenal built for themselves in the first leg look under threat. The opportunity presented itself for him to indulge his unconventional desire to deploy as many left backs as one football team could hold.

Raheem Sterling could play a key role in Arsenal's season run-in as Mikel Arteta prepares for a crunch month of action. The Gunners are currently 15 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool - albeit with a game in hand - and their chances over overhauling Arne Slot's team could be formally ended by the end of April.