>> Why SHOULD we have expected an anomaly in the control arm?
Because control arm outperforming trial design expectation cited as one of the most common reasons of clinical trial failure everywhere. Somehow it is news here.
Example, SNY/REGN Aflibercept and Docetaxel Versus Docetaxel Alone, trial design: mOS=9.5 vs 7.5 months, HR=0.78; result: mOS=10.1 vs 10.4 months, HR=1.01. You see it right, docetaxel arm not only outperformed Aflibercept and Docetaxel arm but also outperformed trial design/expectation by 2.9 months.