Elsewhere, the atmosphere at Arsenal's training ground was already different.
Colney had been busy since the morning as Arsenal had played their match a day before Wigan, meaning their schedule had been slightly ahead.
Their players had already been given their recovery time, and now most of the squad was back at the training ground.
Inside his office, Mikel Arteta was seated at his desk with several clips playing across his monitor when a knock came at the door.
"Come in," he said, and a second later, Carlos Cuesta entered.
The assistant coach trudged forward before settling in the chair right ahead of Arteta.
"Everyone's in," he said, to which Arteta nodded.
"Good."
Cuesta remained seated afterwards before Arteta closed the file in front of him.
"Let them get started with some light gym work."
Cuesta nodded.
"Okay."
Arteta then picked up another sheet from his desk.
Then, almost casually, he looked up again.
"How is he?"
