Arsenal could once again enter Christmas with the Premier League leading position. However, Mikel Arteta's side are increasingly like an energy-consuming machine faster than expected.
At least, the Gunners still showed remarkable endurance. A week after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over bottom-placed Wolves - a match where the decisive goal came from an own goal in extra time - Arsenal continued to win all three points with a minimal 1-0 victory at Everton. That came just hours after Manchester City temporarily took the lead with an easy win over West Ham.
However, like the match against Wolves, this was not an inspiring performance. Viktor Gyokeres' first-half penalty, after Jake O'Brien's handball, was the only decisive moment. The shots hitting the post by Leandro Trossard and Martin Zubimendi only further emphasized the fact that Arsenal still had difficulty in finishing the match with an overwhelming game.
It was a victory in terms of courage rather than the quality of the game. Slow pace, few clear attacking ideas and lack of sharpness in the box are gradually becoming a familiar image of Arsenal at this stage. If it continues, this will be a worrying trend, especially in the context of the increasingly fierce championship race.
Less than a month ago, The Gunners created a safe distance from the chasing group, expanding the gap to six points. They were 7 points ahead of Man City after a convincing 4-1 win over Tottenham at the Emirates. At that time, Eberechi Eze's hat-trick brought a feeling of a team full of energy, sharpness and confidence.
The contrast between Arsenal at that time and now raises a clear question. Is Arteta's side entering a familiar period of inadequacy, or is it just a transitional period that they are brave enough to overcome?
But the expectations of an easy race are now just memories. Man City have quickly narrowed the gap, and if Arsenal really want to be crowned, they will have to go through a truly harsh journey as a title contender.
On the positive side, two consecutive victories against Wolves and Everton show that Arsenal still know how to get all the points even if they are not at their best. The ability to overcome difficulties in deadlocked matches is often a core quality of big teams.
However, a more optimistic view sets a clear warning. Arsenal are starting to feel pressured, and the limits of their playing style are gradually being exposed, right at the time when Man City accelerated again under Pep Guardiola. What happened at Goodison Park shows that Arsenal have not maintained the excitement and sharpness of the beginning of the season.
The victory over Tottenham opened up the feeling that Arsenal had found a stable trajectory. But since then, they have drawn with Chelsea, lost to Aston Villa, and their last two wins have come in a less convincing scenario: two home goals and a penalty.
These are not overwhelming victories. However, every team competing for the title has to go through a period of ups and downs. And if this is a difficult time for the Gunners, it is not a big deal for them to accumulate points to maintain their leading position.
However, history is always an invisible burden for Arsenal. It is the memory of the failed races in the past that will be the biggest test, deciding whether Arsenal will have enough courage to go all the way, or once again stop before the finish line.
