LIVERPOOL, England -- There is usually a red-letter day in a season when Arsenal can look back on the game that set their Premier League title hopes on a slippery slope.
It came as late as February last season, when a makeshift Manchester United overcame Arsene Wenger's team with two goals from Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford, but it usually occurs during the winter months, when legs begin to tire during a relentless fixture programme that allows no pause for breath.
Arsenal's hopes have often failed to outlast the Christmas decorations and it may well be the same again this time around.
Only time will tell how Arsene Wenger and his players ultimately reflect on their defeat at Everton, but while it was Arsenal's first league defeat since the opening weekend of the season, this loss had the air of things beginning to overheat for the Gunners.
Arsenal had the possession and chances to put the game to bed long before Seamus Coleman cancelled out Alexis Sanchez's deflected opener, but they failed to turn the screw when they had the opportunity.
Everton were low on confidence, subjected to audible criticism from their supporters and in danger of going under until Arsenal began to drop their intensity by slowing up when chasing loose balls and carelessly conceding possession in dangerous areas.
Ronald Koeman's team were there for the taking, but Arsenal failed to display the ruthlessness that typifies all title winners and they paid a heavy price.
But their half-hearted performance was only a part of the story.
Defensively, Arsenal were damaged by the absence of the injured Shkodran Mustafi alongside Laurent Koscielny at centre-half, but even without the German, they should not have committed the cardinal sin -- twice -- of allowing their opponents to score from headers from the middle of the penalty box.
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