The Premier League title race took a significant turn on the opening day of 2026 as Arsenal watched their closest challengers all drop points in a series of surprising stalemates.
Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal squad are the big winners of the festive period without even playing.
Following their own emphatic 4-1 victory over Aston Villa earlier in the week, the Gunners sat back on Thursday to watch Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur all play out goalless draws.
The results have provided the North London side with a comfortable four-point lead at the summit of the table, a gap that many analysts believe could be decisive as the season enters its most grueling phase.
