Arsenal will enter Christmas on top of the Premier League after securing a 1-0 victory against Everton on Saturday. The Gunners scored through an early penalty taken by striker Viktor Gyokeres, marking his second goal in his last 11 appearances amid injury struggles. This victory leaves Arsenal with a two-point lead over Manchester City.

However, this advantage was once as high as six points just a month ago. With a tightly contested Premier League season, any slip-up could lead to a challenging title race. Arsenal, having lost two of their last seven matches, must remain vigilant, especially given their history of finishing second in the league for three consecutive seasons.

Leading the league at Christmas can be thrilling, yet Mikel Arteta recognizes that considerable work lies ahead. Historically, Arsenal has disappointed after starting strong, indicating that heightened pressure will accompany their lead.

They have only conceded 10 goals in the league, providing a cushion for defensive errors. Yet, the Gunners have faced difficulties maintaining offensive momentum due to the absences of key players like Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus this season. Nonetheless, all but Havertz are back, enhancing Arsenal’s attacking options.

Looking ahead, Arsenal must face Manchester City on April 18, and they must remain focused through the holiday fixtures.

As for Manchester City, they have clawed back from a seven-point deficit in November, now taking a joint-best 18 points from their last seven games. With Erling Haaland netting 19 goals, City’s attack has been potent, highlighting their title aspirations for a fifth Premier League championship in six years.

Lastly, Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, has emerged as a dark horse in this title race, trailing Arsenal by six points with a game in hand. They must defeat Manchester United to prove their worth in the contest. Villa’s impressive scoring and defensive stats suggest they could instigate significant changes at the top of the table.