"They had not won in three Premier League games before this weekend and it was reasonable to ask how secure their position at the top of the table was. But the impact of their wobble was not that their lead was eaten into, but that they missed opportunities to extend it, because those in the chasing pack were also dropping points. In their six league games since the New Year fixtures, Arsenal have dropped seven points."
"The fear for Arsenal as they have kept glancing back over their shoulders has been that City were about to go on a run, as they had before in previous title races. But it feels like the days when they were capable of suddenly wining 10 or 15 games in a row are over. In 2017-18 they won the title with 100 points, dropping only 14 points all season; this season, even if they won all remaining 14 games, they would only get to 89."
"But that relies on the idea that something of the old relentless engine remains in City, and there is very little evidence of that. They led 1-0 at half-time against Chelsea but conceded an injury-time equaliser. They led 1-0 at half-time against Brighton but conceded an equaliser on the hour. They were drawing 0-0 at half-time against Manchester United but conceded twice in the second half."
Arsenal had not won in three Premier League games before the weekend and have dropped seven points in six league matches since the New Year fixtures. Rivals have also faltered: Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool have each dropped 11 points; Fulham 10; Everton nine; Manchester United, Brentford and Newcastle eight; Chelsea seven. After a comfortable win at Leeds Arsenal's lead remains six points. City's recent tendency to concede late or second-half goals suggests their capacity for long winning runs has diminished. Arsenal still face Manchester City in April and a narrow goal difference leaves them vulnerable to a single slip-up.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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