Premier League table-toppers Arsenal's 'only problem' after Everton win

Arsenal are top of the Premier League at Christmas after Viktor Gyokeres' penalty secured victory over Everton, a concerning historical pattern is not on the Gunners' side

by · The Mirror
Coming off a Double-winning season, Arsene Wenger’s side looked unstoppable, especially after Wenger famously suggested they could go an entire season unbeaten. They held a healthy lead over Manchester United for much of the campaign and sat top on Christmas Day.
However, the pressure of maintaining that dominance began to show in the spring. A pivotal turning point was a 2-2 draw at Bolton Wanderers in late April, where Arsenal surrendered a 2-0 lead; this result handed the momentum to a surging United side.
The collapse was compounded by a loss of discipline and key injuries, most notably to defensive pillar Sol Campbell, who was suspended for the final run-in after a red card against United. A subsequent 3-2 home defeat to Leeds United officially ended their title hopes.
While the season ended in disappointment, the lessons learned from this "failed" defence are often credited with fuelling the legendary "Invincibles" run that followed in 2003/04.
Despite losing club legend Thierry Henry in the summer, a young, vibrant team led by Cesc Fabregas played some of the most attractive football in Europe, leading the league by five points in February. They were the undisputed "Christmas Number One," and many believed Wenger had built a new dynasty.
However, the season fractured during a single afternoon in Birmingham on February 23, 2008. Striker Eduardo suffered a horrific, season-ending leg injury, leaving the young squad visibly traumatised. In the same match, Birmingham equalised with a late penalty.
The psychological fallout was catastrophic; Arsenal drew four consecutive games following that day and eventually finished third, just four points behind champions Manchester United. It remains a haunting "what if" for fans who felt that specific squad was destined for greatness.
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal emerged as the surprise package of the league, leading the table for a staggering 248 days - the most for any team in English top-flight history to not win the title.
They went into the Christmas break with a five-point cushion over Manchester City, fuelled by the energy of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. For months, it seemed they might actually hold off Pep Guardiola’s team, but the squad’s lack of depth was eventually exposed during the high-pressure "run-in."
The decline began in April after a season-ending injury to William Saliba left the defence vulnerable. Arsenal dropped points in three consecutive draws against Liverpool, West Ham, and Southampton, before being soundly beaten 4-1 by Manchester City at the Etihad. The young Gunners appeared to buckle under the weight of City’s relentless winning streak, eventually finishing five points adrift.
Despite the heartbreak, the season marked Arsenal’s return to the elite after years of finishing outside the top four.