You are very correct with all you have said, honestly, i am beginning to realize that this is probably the mistake Arsenal made in last season which later cost them the trophy, and that is rushing to be at the top, which also makes all eyes to be on them.
In the end, when they eventually get back down probably due to overwhelming pressure they can no longer keep up with, before they are able to recover and come up on their feet again so as to assume that position again, the season is already over and a winner have been declared.
This all makes sense to me right now, and i really hope that they (Arsenal) must have come to this realization by now, and should not rush to take the top from Manchester city, for as far as i am concerned, just like i have said before in my previous comment, i will want either Arsenal or Tottenham to win this season's premier league title, Manchester city winning it every season back-to-back have made EPL seem less competitive and so uninteresting to follow, or give too much attention to.
Manchester City are not standing still, this is evident from their results and play. And Arsenal's last match with Westham shocked and displeased me.
Tottenham is a worthy opponent for Mancity and here we need to thoroughly analyze everything in order to make loud statements.