The tide of the Premier League title race had already begun to turn when, on Wednesday, in the second half of a pivotal clash between its two chief contestants, a big blue wave crashed down on the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal made mistakes. Manchester City capitalized. The serial champions, off-field baggage and all, swept their way to a 3-1 victory, and to the top of the EPL title. Pep Guardiola pumped his fists. Mikel Arteta stomped his foot.
But the Cityzens did not win the title. In fact, they learned a resoundingly clear lesson: That they are in for a battle between now and May 28. That their foes are a new Arsenal, a mentally resilient Arsenal, a fearsome Arsenal.
Amid an uncomfortable London drizzle, the Gunners very easily could have crumbled. They could have reverted to their former selves. Instead, they responded to a masterful Kevin De Bruyne goal with spirit and noise, and then an equalizer.
De Bruyne had pounced on an ill-conceived back-pass and lofted City into the lead.
But Arsenal earned and converted a penalty.
The two then dueled for 30-plus minutes, without separation. Arsenal wobbled, but also threatened.
The hosts were finally punished for their sloppiness in the 72nd minute by Jack Grealish.
They were beaten, thoroughly, by Erling Haaland’s clincher 10 minutes later. But they still have a game in hand and three-plus months to go.
Man City, for the first time in months, is now in control of a likely-two-horse race. But it will be a race. It will be fiercely contested, with swings to and fro. Wednesday was not decisive; it was not a finale. It was a beginning.