Man City 2-1 Arsenal: How do Mikel Arteta's Gunners regain momentum and initiative in the Premier League title race after disappointing defeat?

"Panic on the streets of London," read the Manchester City banner at full-time. With his hair down, Erling Haaland was singing Flo Rida's: "Oh, sometimes, I get a good feeling.". We've all heard those songs before.

Despite being Premier League leaders for 201 consecutive days, Arsenal could lose their spot at the summit on Wednesday night to a City side chasing just their seventh day at the top of pile this season.

It was the same story three seasons ago, when Mikel Arteta's side led the 2022/23 table for 247 days, only to lose it to City in the final weeks of the season. In that campaign, a long-locked Haaland pulled his hair down and sent City to an important win over Arsenal in April. The title race wasn't done, but ominous from there.

History is repeating itself, as a familiar but strange feeling falls upon Arsenal. There is disappointment at not getting the result, but unlike three seasons ago where Arsenal were pulled apart to a 4-1 loss, this performance was a positive one. It went against all the pre-match form and predictions.

Arsenal did not play badly at the Etihad Stadium at all. The amount of 'good performances' Arsenal have put in since Christmas can realistically be put on one hand. But when many were expecting a dogged, defensive display from the Gunners, there was a sensible desire to get at Pep Guardiola's side, utilising a successful high press.

That press was led by returning captain Martin Odegaard, whose decision-making in and out of possession was like he had never been away, let alone him making just his third start in three months.

As a result of that successful press, Arsenal won the ball back in the final third five times in the opening 25 minutes, including Kai Havertz's equaliser off Gianluigi Donnarumma's footwork fumble.