Falling behind did not disrupt Manchester City’s perfect start. They recovered to beat Arsenal in a high-profile contest and strengthened their position as the team to catch.
The key figure is simple: five wins from five. That record gives City both momentum and a cushion at the summit, while the comeback against a major rival adds weight to their title credentials.
The result also underlines the difference in current consistency. City have turned every league fixture into three points; Arsenal have not yet found a stable run.
Arsenal’s 10-point deficit is not impossible to overcome, but it leaves little room for further mistakes. One league win all campaign is a poor return for a side expected to challenge for major honours.
The defeat increases scrutiny on Slegers because the problem is now visible in the table, not just in individual performances. Arsenal need a response quickly, with dropped points making the gap to City harder to close.
Their priority is straightforward: turn competitive displays into victories and stop the slide before the title race moves beyond reach.
City’s next challenge is to protect their perfect record when the pressure shifts from headline fixtures to league consistency. Maintaining top spot will require the same efficiency across every opponent.
For Arsenal, the next league fixture becomes a response game. Another setback would intensify questions around Slegers and leave the Gunners chasing a deficit that is already significant.