On the Premier League table a two point gap may look small but for Arsenal supporters following every twist through Cricket Exchange it feels like an old wound being torn open again. Across just four rounds the seven point cushion they once held has vanished into the cold December air. The familiar and suffocating script of being chased down by Manchester City late in the season now feels uncomfortably close once more.

The real alarm however is not solely triggered by City’s imperfect 3-0 win from behind but by issues deep within Arsenal themselves. The foundation of Mikel Arteta’s system that once ironclad back line is crumbling under an intense injury storm. Long term absences for Gabriel and Saliba have stripped the defense of its spine and even backup center back Mosquera has been sidelined. Arteta previously warned of a dangerous cycle and it is playing out in real time as weaker defending leads to harder matches heavier fatigue and rising injury risk in a vicious loop.

This finely tuned title machine is now grinding with missing components and the noise is hard to ignore. Beyond physical problems a quieter mental fatigue has crept in. The match against bottom placed Wolves served as a worrying preview. Arsenal escaped with a win only thanks to a 94th minute own goal gift yet the performance itself was ragged. Brief lapses after taking the lead and wide open crossing lanes exposed declining focus and control. When a high press is demanded every second the elastic eventually stretches too far and snaps.

Equally concerning is how victories are being secured. Early in the season Arsenal thrived on set pieces scoring 12 times from dead ball situations and showcasing ruthless organization. Recently open play goals have arrived but overall dominance and win rate have dipped. Against Wolves the expected goals tally sat at just 1.13 with two own goals doing the heavy lifting. As Bukayo Saka admitted they needed luck. Wins built on fortune rather than authority rarely calm nerves and instead fuel deeper anxiety which analysts tracking trends on Cricket Exchange have begun to note.

Supercomputer models still rate Arsenal as favorites yet their title probability has plunged from 82.1 percent to 65.5 percent a sharp reflection of shaken confidence. As the festive period approaches the first sentence many fans read through Cricket Exchange updates points to a looming reckoning. Tough fixtures against Everton Aston Villa and Liverpool will test both body and mind and decide whether this squad can steady itself or watch a familiar nightmare unfold once again.