Manchester City's 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday evening was crucial in more ways than one.
Firstly, it was important for City to grind out the result even when they were not at their best, while secondly it provided a Premier League platform given Pep Guardiola's side are not in top flight action again until April.
Cup football will take priority for the next week before the international break. RB Leipzig travel to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. The tie is firmly in the balance at 1-1 and City have made no secret about the competition being one of their top priorities this season.
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Saturday brings an FA Cup quarter final with Burnley. And while City are focusing on progressing past Vincent Kompany's Clarets, Arsenal will have the opportunity to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League if they can beat Palace at the Emirates Stadium.
Before Saturday's game at Selhurst Park, Guardiola was adamant that the Gunners building up a potentially sizeable lead does not worry him. "At the end of the season, everyone is going to play the same games so you have to win your games and that is all," he told Sky Sports. "We cannot control anything else. We play the FA Cup, they can play but it does not matter."
While Guardiola is correct in saying everyone has to play everyone twice over the season, where this campaign differs is that City are chasing. In recent years they have been the ones leading from the front with the likes of Liverpool the ones waiting for the mistake.
This time around, the Gunners are heading the pack. It is unfamiliar territory for both teams. Arsenal's victory over Fulham was straightforward and they are favourites to beat Palace next Sunday even if Patrick Vieira's side proved against City that they are no pushovers.
If the lead does go out to eight points, the Blues will be given a fresh challenge of focusing on their results rather than the league table. Now is the time when both teams' mental strength will be truly put to the test.
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