Arsenal: Is it now or never for Arsene Wenger to win title?

The celebrations around the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal's players took the acclaim of their fans at the final whistle after their win against Manchester City illustrated the result's significance.

It was not simply relief at surviving a late City rally to secure a deserved 2-1 win or delight at closing the gap on surprise Premier League leaders Leicester City to two points.

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This was the sort of victory that had Arsenal fans believing they can end a title drought that stretches back to 2004.

Their best chance of a title in a decade?

Arsenal have endured years of pain since 'The Invincibles' claimed the Premier League title after 38 unbeaten games - but the evidence is stacking up that they can finally end the wait.
It is 10 years since they finished in the top two and only twice in the intervening period have they occupied one of those two slots after 17 games, as they do now.
Only once since 2003-04 have they had more points than the 36 they have now, when they had 40 in 2007-2008 and finished third.

A season of two halves?
Season	Position after 17 games	Points after 17 games	Final position
2004-05	3rd	35	2nd
2005-06	7th	29	4th
2006-07	3rd	29	4th
2007-08	1st	40	3rd
2008-09	5th	30	4th
2009-10	3rd	35	3rd
2010-11	3rd	32	4th
2011-12	5th	32	3rd
2012-13	5th	27	4th
2013-14	2nd	36	4th
2014-15	6th	27	3rd
2015-16	2nd	36	TBC

And for all Leicester's brilliance at the top of the table, the win against City came against a team many believe will ultimately emerge as Arsenal's closest rivals. It was a victory that delivered a psychological blow.
This was Manchester City's fifth loss this season and no team has won the Premier League when they have lost five games before Christmas.
It was a result and performance that will only add to Arsenal's confidence and self-belief as they search for that inner X-factor that has eluded them when they have been in the hunt for the big prize in the barren title years.
"Our belief is strong," said Wenger. "We have a bit more maturity in the side now, which you could see in the game when we were under pressure and we could deal with it.
"Every win strengthens the belief when it's a big game like that."
The Gunners have nine more points than they did at this stage last season - they were 15 points adrift of leaders Chelsea 12 months ago - but a glance at the fixture list shows that tough tests await, with visits to Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs, Everton and Liverpool to come.
Arsenal currently have the edge on those other traditional rivals, Chelsea and Manchester United, adding a layer to the growing belief that it is now or never for Wenger and his team this season. 

Head-to-head record this season
	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
Arsenal	3	2	0	1	5	3	+2	6
Man City	3	1	1	1	4	2	+2	4
Chelsea	2	1	0	1	2	3	-1	3
Man Utd	2	0	1	1	0	3	-3	1

Manchester City, as the game at the Emirates proved, are inconsistent this season, producing performances that are often below par.

Manchester United are fading fast, without a win in six games and currently out of the top four and out of this year's Champions League to leave manager Louis van Gaal fighting for his job.

Chelsea are an irrelevance in the title race, stranded in 15th place with only half of Arsenal's points and with a temporary manager taking charge in Guus Hiddink.

The Gunners now have a four-point advantage over City and seven over United - and it is reasonable to suggest this is an opportunity that might not present itself to Arsenal as readily again.

Are Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea likely to be as vulnerable next season?
City may well have Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola in charge by then and have limitless funds to back him.
Serial winner Jose Mourinho could be in the dugout at Old Trafford with a burning desire to prove a point after his sacking, while Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will be ready to back the next high-profile manager through the door at Chelsea with a serious transfer kitty.

Join the dots and this is Arsenal's best opportunity in recent memory - and one they would never forgive themselves for squandering.