Arteta's team of ruthless cyborgs malfunctions in a way that is all too human

And then the gap was down to four points.

- Jonathan Wilson Emirates Stadium

It is still four points, but the thought that Arsenal will struggle to suppress is that it could have been more, that it should have been more.

Manchester City have won only one of their past five in the league, but Arsenal have not opened up clear water. Against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, they failed to take advantage of City slip-ups, drawing both those games 0-0, and that left them vulnerable to a game such as this. From an Arsenal point of view, the title race is disturbingly alive.

Arsenal should be fine. They have been the best team in the league so far. They've been the best team in the Champions League. They've lost only three times all season. They have a good claim to be the best side in the world right now. But there will be inevitable nibbles of doubt: Arsenal have still to go to the Etihad Stadium in April; lose that and the gap will be one; and that means the pressure is on; one slip-up and the lead could be City's...

There is no reason for such negativity; there has been nothing to suggest City are about to embark upon a remorseless winning run.

But when a team have not won the league in 22 years, a certain amount of catastrophising is inevitable.