Middlesbrough - 0 Arsenal - 2 Arsene Wenger stood in a cold corridor, hemmed in by reporters and buttoned up against the weather.
The knot in his tie was small and tight, the collar on his white shirt slightly frayed. He was speaking about being "wound up" last Wednesday after the Manchester United game at Highbury.
A passing onlooker might have witnessed all this and thought it added up to the tension. But the giveaway was Wenger's face. On it he was wearing a benign smile. This was a man luxuriating in a sense of satisfaction at a hard task completed totally.
Seven years ago United had come to the Riverside and beaten Middlesbrough 3-0 to clinch the 1995-96 title. United fans still sing about it. With enough time and games left for this championship to alter dramatically, it is too early to invest this victory with such decisive value. But hindsight may in time come to view this game as the one in which Arsenal reclaimed their title.
On paper, this was their most difficult fixture. Wenger said so again afterwards, though adding: "The hardest one is the next one" - Bolton away.
But Thierry Henry said so, too: "A lot of people thought we'd fail today. It's a very big win." And Ray Parlour, captain for the day for the first time - and constructively de-constructive throughout - called it "our banana skin".
But Parlour was speaking theoretically and in the past tense. His sense of relief that there had been no slip-up was as tangible as the rest. "We feel we've got a really important result," he said. "People saw Middlesbrough as a game where we might be in trouble."
Arsenal now go to Bolton on Saturday, then host Leeds and Southampton at Highbury before visiting Sunderland on the final afternoon of the Premiership season, the same day United play at Everton. Wenger said that after the draw with United last Wednesday he felt the momentum was with Alex Ferguson's team. This result, Wenger thought, eroded that feeling.
"I was wound-up after the game, of course," Wenger said. "Like the players, I am more determined than ever. I would say we have created the momentum again, because we had the draw at Villa with a disappointing own goal and then the disappointing result against Man United. So today it was important to get momentum again."
Central to that achievement, as ever, was Henry. The striker was most certainly wound up here, but like a machine that solicits only admiration. This was his 200th game for Arsenal since joining from Juventus for £10.5m in August 1999. His goal, his 22nd in the league and 30th of the current season, was Henry's 110th for the club. Not bad value.
And what a goal it was. A fast, curling diagonal free-kick from 20 yards that burst into the top corner and left Mark Schwarzer floundering. The Frenchman's effort was a worthy subject for the palette of Middlesbrough's artist in residence.
The goal had a painterly quality that in itself was a major reason for Arsenal's joy on the final whistle. That it gave them the same margin of victory as United enjoyed at Old Trafford against Blackburn enhanced it further. It meant that the one-goal advantage Arsenal have over United is maintained. That could be vital yet.
But games have to be won first and foremost and this was a victory chiselled out in midfield by Parlour and Robert Pires. In front, Henry was remorseless in his work as well as inventive. Behind, Pascal Cygan was "outstanding", according to Wenger, alongside Sol Campbell. Martin Keown - "He's 36," said Wenger - was rested.
The spine had to be strong. Middlesbrough were unbeaten in eight matches and had not lost to any of the top six at home until Saturday. Steve McClaren's side may have lacked some of the fluidity displayed on occasion this season, but they were still dogged.
Arsenal had to fight over every fraction. Wenger sensed "nervousness" in his players during a first-half bereft of chances. But three minutes into the second Henry muscled in on Doriva, a Brazilian borrowed from Celta Vigo on Juninho's recommendation.
Henry sped away with typical zip. Sylvain Wiltord was his only ally in attack and had been conspicuously ineffective hitherto. But when Henry slid in a pass Wiltord's confidence was clearly unharmed. Rather than taking a controlling touch, Wiltord clipped a shot first time and the alacrity of thought and deed defeated Schwarzer. It was another finish of the highest quality.
Arsenal's nerves were placated by that, then eased further by Henry. As long as only the collars remain frayed, it is advantage Arsenal. But only just.
Guardian Service
MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Cooper, Ehiogu, Southgate, Queudrue, Boateng, Doriva (Wilkshire 70), Greening, Juninho Paulista (Maccarone 83), Christie (Job 83), Nemeth. Subs Not Used: Stockdale, Jones.
ARSENAL: Taylor, Lauren, Cygan, Campbell, Cole (Luzhny 84), Ljungberg, Parlour, Silva, Pires (van Bronckhorst 90), Wiltord, Henry (Bergkamp 89). Subs Not Used: Keown, Warmuz. Booked: Henry. Goals: Wiltord 48, Henry 82.
Referee: D Elleray.
