John Terry has become accustomed to being shunned by his fellow professionals during the pre-match handshakes, what with Wayne Bridge and Anton Ferdinand having pointedly ignored protocol when confronted by the Chelsea captain in recent times.

But before Terry's first match since being found guilty by an FA independent regulatory commission of using racially abusive language towards Ferdinand, Arsenal players did not bother snubbing the ex-England international.

Nonetheless, one creature did still feel like registering his disdain: the Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus extended his paw to Terry as the teams lined up before the game and then, as Terry went to shake it, pulled it back in, leaving Terry's hand dangling in the air – although Gunnersaurus had shaken Terry's hand earlier, when Chelsea arrived. It says something when even dinosaurs deem your language unacceptable.