Arsenal will spend Christmas Day at the top of the Premier League table following Manchester City's 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Brentford this afternoon.
The champions had the chance to leapfrog Mikel Arteta's men for a few hours at least when they welcomed the Bees to the Etihad - a match they were firm favourites to win, having won their last 11 home league games and not lost a Premier League game in front of their own fans since February.
However, a brace from Ivan Toney - including a 98th-minute winner - sealed a famous victory for Thomas Frank's side as Brentford recorded their first away league win over Man City since 1937.
The result leaves Arsenal still two points clear of Man City in what is the final gameweek before the World Cup break, with Premier League football not returning until December 26 after this weekend.
The Gunners will therefore spend Christmas Day at the top of the standings regardless of their result against Wolverhampton Wanderers later on Saturday, and could move five points clear of their closest challengers with a victory in that game.
Arsenal have not spent Christmas as Premier League leaders since the 2007-08 campaign, but have underlined their genuine title credentials this season by dropping just five points from a possible 39 so far.
However, the North Londoners have not gone on to win the title in any of the last five seasons in which they have been top at Christmas - a run which stretches all the way back to 1947-48.
Barney Corkhill
