And the reason for this is that the defending champions seldom display any symptoms of weakness during this point in the Premier League season when the major prize is within reach and the pressure is at its highest.
Arsenal performed as promised on Tuesday, crushing Chelsea 5-0 at Emirates Stadium, and a day later, Liverpool crumbled in the scorching Goodison Park.
The way that City destroyed Brighton on this rainy night has the Gunners still atop the table, a position they would have signed up for immediately at the beginning of the season.
