Arsenal's premise was clear. After a December slump last season which saw the Gunners lose to West Ham, Fulham and Aston Villa — dropping 11 points in the process — their title bid seemed all but over.
It was a trip to Dubai in January 2024 which kickstarted a rampaging run to keep the north London club in title contention to the very final day of the Premier League season.
Their record in the league upon returning from the Middle East read: 16 wins, one draw away to Manchester City and one defeat, along with 53 goals scored and just nine conceded.