Can’t ask players for a better response

of weeks to try and put that right. We talked about a test of character and they have stayed strong, they have stayed very united.

“As a group, I think they have all pulled together and showed their leadership in different ways.

“I thought we earned the right to score some points with the way we approached the game in the first half. I thought our attitude was top-class.”

Ireland’s victory in the Stadio Olimpico sunshine could have been far greater had they not had a trio of tries – from Iain Henderson, Stander and James Lowe – disallowed.

Defeat for Italy was a 30th in succession in the Championship, dating back six years to a victory over Scotland at Murrayfield. Fly-half Paolo Garbisi conjured a moment of magic to set up a consolation try for Johan Meyer late in the first half and kicked a further five points but it was an all-too familiar story for the hosts.

Franco Smith’s men have now shipped 139 points and 19 tries in their three losses to date. Ireland captain Johnny Sexton, returning from a head injury, added all six conversions and two penalties as the pressure on Farrell was eased.

The fly-half said: “I thought we were outstanding. Our intent and our concentration and how clinical we were at times was very pleasing. The stuff we have been learning in training finally came out in glimpses, so I am happy for everyone.”

BUILDING: Arteta

MIKEL ARTETA looks at clubs like Leicester, admires the jobs they have done over the past two or three years... and then hears a ticking clock.

He sees the building blocks they put in place and the rewards they are now reaping as a result.

He knows Arsenal need to lay similar foundations but isn’t blind to the fact that they need to get a shift on doing the same thing.

Because if the Gunners don’t they will fall behind the likes of today’s opponents and even further off the pace being set by Manchester City and Liverpool.

Arteta said: “There are a lot of clubs who have done that in recent years. You have to be constantly evolving that squad and if you haven’t done that for a year or two you get caught up by other clubs.

“You see what Liverpool have done in a few years and the team they were able to develop.

“Manchester City have two teams, but why? Because for the last four or five seasons things have been done consistently and they are in a position that they can still do that. It’s work that doesn’t happen overnight, unfortunately, when the level is so, so high.

“So a lot of good decisions have to be made and have to continue to be made progressively to keep evolving our squad in the right way to be able to compete and still be sustainable financially.”

The 2019 arrival of Kieran Tierney was all part of the process for Arteta, and he hopes the winning mentality Tierney brought from

Celtic will permeate the squad. Arteta added: “The right words would be determination, passion and energy – that’s all about Kieran.”

Willian was another whose arrival was supposed to take Arsenal to the next level but he has struggled, although his contribution against Benfica was welcome.

Arteta said: “He is a player who we all like. His team-mates like him and we were expecting many more things from him since he joined, but for many different reasons he still hasn’t found his best performances.

“Hopefully, Thursday’s performance is going to give him the platform and belief that he is a really important player.”