Arsenal's 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea would have sent shivers down the spines of many Gunners fans as their sides old frailties were exposed yet again by a team they were no longer supposed to be scared of.
It is telling that in a season that will go down as Chelsea's worst since the arrival of Roman Abramovich, they have still taken six points off their London rivals, even after losing the Community Shield to them in August.
And that, in a nutshell, is why few people are convinced Arsenal have what it takes to win the league.
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In "one self-destructive afternoon", the Gunners proved why, for most people, the idea that they may win the title is "a nice thought but, like Arsenal themselves, too fragile and delicate to put your trust in", says Matt Dickinson of The Times.
Sunday's game "was supposed to be the moment they demonstrated the mental toughness of title winners", says Sky Sports. "Instead, they had Per Mertesacker sent off inside 18 minutes and fell to a 1-0 defeat to a side stuck in the bottom half of the table."
It does not bode well for the run-in. "On the penultimate weekend of the season, Arsenal travel to Man City for what could be the ultimate test of their mental strength," adds Sky. Then there is the prospect of a Champions League showdown with Barcelona next month, which could prove even more damaging.
"Sandwiched between their two legs with the reigning Champions League winners, are away games with Manchester United and Tottenham and home matches with Swansea and West Brom."
The repercussions of another blown title bid could be even greater than usual for the Gunners, says Greg Stobart of Goal.com.
If manager Arsene Wenger is "unable to guide Arsenal to Premier League glory this season, the Frenchman should give serious thought to resigning", he argues. "If he cannot guide Arsenal to the title this season, he never will again.
"Arsenal have improved this season, but the old problems continue to creep back in - and that is down to Wenger."
The title is there for the taking, but as the pressure on Arsenal has increased, so their form has suffered. Defeat against Chelsea means the Gunners have won only two of their last six League games and are now third in the table.
That might explain the "unease" which takes hold at the Emirates all too easily, says Dickinson of The Times. "We should remind ourselves that they are chasing a title which has never been more open. But faith in Arsenal to close the deal? They will not be singing 'and now you're gonna believe us' at the Emirates with any conviction until the job is actually done. And this reminded us why City, especially with [striker] Sergio Aguero back firing, are firm favourites."
