Arsenal have taken six points from a possible six in their most testing week of the season so far. Tottenham were dispatched in the North London Derby last weekend and Manchester United were broken down and eroded away under serious second half pressure at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The end result is that Mikel Arteta's men, thanks to their 3-2 win over genuine title contenders, are top with a five point cushion after 19 games and with a game in hand. They were sent out having seen Manchester City demolish Wolves 3-0 earlier in the day but that simply didn't matter.
The Gunners are now in a period of relative calm after the relentless post-World Cup period. It'll have to be savoured by Arteta and his men though because if their success keeps on going then the pace and congestion will soon pick up once more.
READ MORE:Every word Mikel Arteta said on Eddie Nketiah's form, title hopes and Jakub Kiwior transfer
For now though there is a precious midweek off. Here, football.london looks ahead to what the Gunners have coming their way and how it may shape their season.
Manchester City (A), FA Cup - January 28
The FA Cup has been the tournament in which most of Arsenal's recent success has been had. Arteta won the trophy in his first year and the Gunners claimed the trophy four times in the past decade. They now face a challenge to balance domestic cup action with league dominance.
Ahead of what may prove to be a decisive two matches to come against Manchester City, this will be a good tester in a slightly more relaxed environment, though maybe not for Pep Guardiola who will undoubtedly be keen to get one over Arteta.
Everton (A)- February 2
Next up in the league is a trip to Everton. The setting for perhaps Arteta's darkest day last year but a chance to extend the lead at the top once more. The Toffees are struggling in the league and have lost to relegation threatened West Ham and Southampton in their last two.
Arsenal have won three of the last four against their Merseyside opponents.
Brentford (H) - February 11
It's back to London after that following another midweek off. The Gunners got revenge for their opening day defeat against the Bees last season and are looking to get their third win in a row against Thomas Frank's side.
It is also the first of two home matches in a row which may be crucial in terms of rest, recovery and saving legs.
Manchester City (H) - February 15
The biggie. This could be the biggest test of Arteta's title credentials. At home against the champions who are still breathing down Arsenal's neck despite the points gap. Such is the experience and consistency in which Pep Guardiola's men go on remarkable runs of their own it feels like a matter of time before the surge starts.
If Arsenal can avoid defeat here then it may be time to truly start to dream.
Aston Villa (A) - February 18
A slight comedown from the enormity of the title six pointer, Arsenal will be reunited with an old friend. Unai Emery's Aston Villa have picked up their form under the former Gunners boss and have only lost two of their previous nine league games.
Emery will be determined to get one over his former employers though and this will be yet another hurdle for Arsenal to bypass on their title charge.
Manchester City next five fixtures:
Arsenal (H), FA Cup - January 28
Tottenham (A) - February 5
Aston Villa (H) - February 12
Arsenal (A) - February 15
Nottingham Forest (A) - February 18
Manchester Unitednext five fixtures:
Nottingham Forest (A), Carabao Cup - January 25
Reading (A) - FA Cup - January 28
Nottingham Forest (H), Carabao Cup -February 1
Crystak Palace (H) - February 4
Leeds United (H) - February 8
Newcastlenext five fixtures:
Southampton (A), Carabao Cup - January 24
Southampton (A), Carabao Cup -January 31
West Ham (H) - February 4
Bournemouth (A) - February 11
Liverpool (H) - February 18
Tottenham next five fixtures:
Fulham (A) - January 23
Preston North End (A), FA Cup - January 28
Manchester City (H) - Februar
y 5
Leicester City (A) - February 11
AC Milan (A), Champions League -February 14
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