Total control, an absence of alarms in any form, and enough positives to suggest more nights of this clarity might lie ahead. This was such a dominant, sleek victory that it must have felt as if it was happening to another football club but
Arsenal are entitled to ascribe it some longer-term significance. On another occasion the return of Héctor Bellerín, who was roared on to the pitch as a substitute and promptly set up their third goal with his first contribution after nine months out, might have been the obvious good news story but this time it was difficult to know where to start.
Provisions must be made for the fact Nottingham Forest, distracted by a Championship promotion campaign that resumes on Friday, were present in little more than name. But there were visions of Arsenal as they might yet be. They have missed the composure of Rob Holding, sidelined for a similar period to Bellerín, but saw him rise confidently on his first appearance since December for the header that doubled their lead.