Lacking the calming influences of Fabregas and Robin van Persie, the hosts were forced to play largely on the counter-attack in the first half and the home supporters were soon murmuring in frustration.

BBC: Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland

Exeter dominated the opening exchanges after the break but Leeds produced the first real chance when Wentzel began a counter attack that saw Michael Stephenson, Thomas and then Phil Nilsen all denied by some committed defending.

BBC: Exeter 15-9 Leeds

Then came the clashes between rival groups of Malian soldiers in Bamako - a chilling reminder of the chaos still seething within the armed forces - and at the weekend, the first signs of a serious counter-attack by the jihadists in the key northern town of Gao.

BBC: Attacks jolt Mali and France out of complacency