As he serves his touchline ban, Arsène Wenger has commented upon his improved vantage point from in the stands. The panoramic, according to the Arsenal manager, affords him a “better view of things” even if “you feel more powerless than usual”.

On a tumultuous night, when the rain tumbled down from the first whistle, Wenger watched his team’s Premier League title hopes suffer a body blow and the feeling left him numb. It was an occasion when Arsenal fans had one eye on Anfield, and the result of the league leaders, Chelsea, against Liverpool. But their team did not do its own job. They could not beat what was in front of them, after leaving themselves too much to do after a dismal first-half display.