Arsenal Edge Closer to Premier League Title While Gyokeres Shines and Rivals Slip

For a long time, Arsenal have been close without quite convincing. Close to a title challenge. Close to belief. Close to turning progress into something permanent.

Now, that gap is starting to narrow.

This season has not been loud or dramatic. There have been no sweeping statements or early celebrations. Instead, Arsenal have moved through the campaign with a steadiness that feels deliberate rather than accidental.

Recent results have added weight to that feeling. Arsenal did what they needed to do, while key rivals dropped points. It was not the kind of weekend that dominates headlines, but it was the kind that quietly reshapes a title race.

Under Mikel Arteta, this team no longer looks like it is chasing moments. It looks like it is managing them. That difference is subtle, but in a Premier League season shaped by fine margins, it matters.

January rarely decides championships on its own. But it often reveals which teams are ready when the pressure begins to build. Right now, Arsenal look increasingly comfortable with that pressure.

Arsenal’s Confidence Is Growing, Quietly

Arsenal’s current position has not been built on chaos or momentum alone. It has come from structure.

Defensively, they look calmer than in previous seasons. There is less panic when games tighten and fewer rushed decisions in dangerous areas. Midfield control has also improved, with players more comfortable holding shape rather than chasing moments.

Up front, the conversation has naturally turned toward Viktor Gyokeres.

Arteta has spoken openly about backing the striker to reach 20 goals this season, a public show of belief that has not gone unnoticed (). It is not just encouragement. It is a signal.

Managers rarely make statements like that unless they trust the player’s mentality as much as his finishing. Gyokeres may not score every week, but his movement, physical presence, and willingness to work for the team have given Arsenal a reliable focal point in attack.

That trust has helped settle the forward line. And when a striker feels trusted, goals often follow.

Rivals Drop Points and the Table Responds

Title races are rarely won in headline moments. More often, they are shaped by quiet weekends.

This was one of them.

Manchester City were held, while Aston Villa failed to capitalise on their own recent momentum. Neither result alone defines the season, but together they offered Arsenal a clear advantage.

In a league as tight as this one, those margins matter. A draw instead of a win. A missed chance. A late concession.

What stands out is how Arsenal have responded when opportunities appear. In past seasons, dropped points elsewhere did not always translate into progress.

This time, Arsenal have stayed focused. No drama. No overreaction. Just points on the board.

Balance Across the Pitch Is Making the Difference

One of the quieter strengths of this Arsenal side is balance.

The defence has not been flawless, but it has been dependable. Fullbacks know when to push and when to stay. Centre backs are communicating better, particularly under pressure. There is a sense that everyone understands their role.

Midfield has also matured. Players are taking fewer risks in bad moments and showing more patience in possession. That control has allowed Arsenal to manage games rather than chase them.

Arteta’s tactical flexibility has helped too. Arsenal can press high when needed or sit deeper and absorb pressure without losing shape. That adaptability is often the difference between title contenders and nearly teams.

The blend of youth and experience is finally working. Younger players are contributing without being overloaded. Senior figures are setting standards rather than carrying everything alone.

What the Run-In Now Demands

There is still a long way to go.

Arsenal know that better teams will test them. Injuries, suspensions, and fixture congestion will arrive. There will be games where momentum disappears and patience is tested.

But the foundation feels stronger than before.

This team no longer looks like it is waiting for something to go wrong. It looks prepared. That mental shift is often the last step before silverware.

If Gyokeres continues to contribute, if the defence maintains its discipline, and if the midfield keeps control in tight matches, Arsenal will believe they can stay at the top.

The title will not be won in January. But it can be lost.

Right now, Arsenal are doing what champions usually do. Staying calm. Taking points. And letting others make the mistakes.