Watching Manchester City in the first half against Spurs, the thought struck me… last season has caught up on even them a little.
I don't doubt there are many reasons why Liverpool and the Champions have seemed more vulnerable this time around, not least because it's been such a disjointed campaign with the World Cup.
But I also believe the titanic battles the clubs have had with each other have taken a toll. The level they were both at least season, the level they have taken English football to, it's astonishing.
Can that be sustained indefinitely? I don't think so. It seems pretty obvious Liverpool have suffered a big backlash to their efforts chasing a quadruple. They reached levels rarely seen in the history of football, but by the end, you could see they were running on fumes.
That has kicked over into this campaign, no doubt. When you think of Liverpool at their best under Jurgen Klopp, it is all about the energy and intensity. Yet this season, we've rarely seen them even matching the stats in those areas of their opponents, never mind blowing them away.
They have tried a reset, tried to refresh their team, but that takes time, especially when you are buying young players with potential, and not established world elite stars.
City have the resources to do that, which is why they haven't dropped off as much. But no doubt, they have dropped off. This isn't the same invincible side that were so relentless in holding Klopp's team off almost miraculously in the final months of last season.
I maintain what I said at the start of this campaign, Erling Haaland wasn't signed to win the Premier League. They scored 99 goals last season, they don't need any more goals there.
He was bought to make the difference in those Champions League matches where they have come up a tiny bit short, like the Real Madrid semi-final. Finish games like that off.
Yet he's shown in the league with 22 goals in 18 games that he is an elite goalscorer, the best in the world. And that sure helps when your team is off their level a tiny bit.
That's why I still think they will prove to have too much experience for Arsenal in the title race, why I think they will find a way, even if they are clearly more vulnerable defensively this time around.
Going in with the shock of Tottenham's second goal just before half time, you felt it could be one of those pivotal moments in the title race. Lose that game and Arsenal potentially could have been 11 points clear.
Yet I just sensed they would come back. And I honestly think Spurs felt that too. There was no belief in their team, almost an acceptance of what was happening in the mad minutes after half time.
But that is City. They did it on the final day of last year's race when Villa had all but handed the title to Liverpool. Did it with a comeback against West Ham. They were 2-0 down to Palace in the second week of this season and won 4-2.
Both Spurs and Palace have had big results at the Etihad in recent years, but Pep Guardiola's team found a way. They've dropped more points in the first half of this season than usual, but then maybe they've been missing Liverpool!
In recent weeks when it's looked like a result will take Arsenal away, City have pulled one out of the bag.
And I know I keep saying this, but Pep can get them to go on one of those runs, you know like 2019 when they won their last 14 games straight to deny Liverpool the title.
I just think they've got too much experience, too much knowledge, too much aura for anyone, and not just Arsenal. But I don't want people to think I'm knocking the Gunners.
I'll say this about them, they have earned their title credentials, they have proven they deserve to be up there. People keep expecting them to fall away, but they won't.
That's why I don't believe this weekend's game against Manchester United will be a defining one, as people are saying. Sure, it's a big test, pressure on them to deliver against an in-form, tough opponent.
But you know what, even if they lose, I don't think they'll collapse. Arsenal remind me of the Liverpool team of a few years ago with their hunger and energy, with their belief. So they'll stick around.
But beating City to the title, that's a different matter altogether. If Pep's side have to win their last 14 games again, then you wouldn't bet against them.
