Watch: Two silky team goals give Arsenal 2-0 lead

Seven minutes later, Arsenal's record-signing Declan Rice delivered a long-distance diagonal dime to Saka, finding him in the same area of the pitch the first where he set up the match's first goal.

This time Saka decided to loft a cross into the 18-yard box that made it to Oleksandr Zinchenko, who played a clever give-and-go with Jesus before finding a wide-open Martin Ødegaard who blasted a one-time shot past goalkeeper José Sá.

Heading into April 2023, Arsenal led City by eight points for first place in the Premier League.  

But less than two months later, a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest clinched the title for City after holding the top spot for 248 days according to the Associated Press. 

“It is a very sad day,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said after the match.

“We have been working for 11 months with that aim and have been on top for so many days. We have competed but we didn’t have enough."

The Gunners took first place for the first time this campaign thanks to a dramatic win vs. Brentford on Nov 25 and a draw between Liverpool and Manchester City. 

With City facing a tough test in fifth-place Tottenham at home on Sunday, Arsenal fans have reason to hope for a four-point cushion by the end of Match Week 14 if they can see out the second half at The Emirates.