Arsenal's quest to secure a first Premier League title in nearly a decade suffered a setback over the weekend as Mikel Arteta's side were beaten by a struggling Everton side.

James Tarkowski's header got the Sean Dyche era off to a perfect start and put a dent in the league leaders after they suffered just their second top-flight defeat of the 2022/23 campaign.

Although everything is still in the Gunners' hands as they hold a five-point and one-game advantage over defending champions Manchester City, who could now be hit with a points deduction following remarkable revelations off the pitch.

If the north Londoners can get back on track with a result against Brentford on Saturday, then the defeat at Goodison Park will become a mere afterthought.

It could be time for some of Arteta's fringe stars to step up and be counted, particularly as games are going to come thick and fast as the month rumbles on, with Arsenal still in the Europa League.

During the 'Invincibles' season, the Gunners were knocked out of both the FA and League Cup in the semi-finals and had bowed out of the Champions League by the quarters, so their focus was fully on the league in its closing stages.

Arsene Wenger often stuck by the same side - ten players started 28 or more of the 38 outings. You had the goals from Thierry Henry and Robert Pires, as well as the defensive resilience from central defensive pairing Kolo Toure and Sol Campbell.

Players such as Edu Gaspar - now sporting director at the Emirates Stadium - Pascal Cygan and Sylvain Wiltord perhaps never got the credit they deserved, having arguably been some of the unsung heroes of Arsenal's last title-winning triumph.

Likewise with the late Jose Antonio Reyes, who joined mid-season during the January transfer window - just as Leandro Trossard has done recently.

The then 19-year-old would go onto register just seven starts during the second half of the season but became a vital piece off the bench as he registered a total of three goal contributions, which would see him rank sixth for goals and assists per 90 in the squad.

His defining moment came with the title already secured.

Arsenal's chance of becoming history-makers was in jeopardy down at Fratton Park, two games after winning the league at White Hart Lane.

Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth outfit were leading through Yakubu at the break before the Spaniard bagged his first top-flight goal four minutes after the break to snag a point and keep their unbeaten record intact.

Trossard could play a similar role in the closing months of the season, especially as he's yet to register a league start since his £27m move from league rivals Brighton and Hove Albion, where he has already notched seven goals and three assists this term.

The Belgian, once hailed as a "wizard" by journalist Charlie Haffenden and a "game-changer" by the BBC's Phil McNulty, could well be a vital cog for the Gunners in their quest to secure their first Premier League title since that famous invincibles feat in 2003/04.

He may not get the nod over the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka but his influence and ability is going to be crucial, whether that be off the bench in key moments or when starting in Europe to aid some rotation.

The 28-year-old could well be Reyes 2.0 for the Gunners in the coming weeks and months, thanks to Edu's magic in the market.

AND in other news, Edu could land Arsenal a dream Caicedo alternative in move for £36m-rated “dominator”...