Arsenal have reclaimed first place in the Premier League heading into the Christmas break, aiming to overcome a historical trend of mid-season collapses to finally secure the title.
Arsenal will spend Christmas Day at the top of the Premier League table after securing a narrow 1-0 victory over Everton.
The decisive moment came courtesy of a Viktor Gyokeres penalty, marking the striker’s first goal since November and propelling the Gunners back above Manchester City.
While reaching the summit provides a significant morale boost for Mikel Arteta’s squad, it also brings the weight of historical expectations and previous festive failures to the forefront.
Statistically, the Gunners face a daunting omen, having failed to win the title the last four times they led at Christmas.
However, the current mood around the club remains defiant. Reflecting on the evolution of his team and the psychological shift required to maintain their lead, Arteta previously noted:
“When you are at the top, compared to where we were last season, it is different. We have more belief and are starting to create a bit of fear into the opposition.”
Despite past collapses, supporters are finding reasons for optimism in the team’s defensive resilience and clinical edge.
The victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium demonstrated a grit that has sometimes been lacking in previous campaigns.
As the club enters the second half of the season, the emphasis remains on internal focus rather than external skepticism.
Arteta has emphasized that the journey is ongoing, stating: “Hard work, faith, conviction, self-confidence… gave us the peace of mind to continue on the path to what we aim for.”