Arsenal were nine points clear of Manchester City five days ago. Given they haven’t played since their 3-0 win over Sunderland established that advantage, it’s a bit rum to point the finger now that gap is only three, City having since won sensationally at Liverpool on Sunday and in a more conventional manner against Fulham last night. But scoreboard pressure is scoreboard pressure, and suddenly the visit to Brentford looks a little more difficult than it would have done on Saturday evening. To be fair to Mikel Arteta and his men, they’d have considered this match a tricky assignment when nine ahead anyway.
