Last weekend might have given the Manchester City players and fans real hope after Arsenal suffered a shock home defeat by Bournemouth and Pep Guardiola's side capitalised with a statement win at Chelsea.
With six games remaining, City will now start to have real belief a seventh top-flight crown in the past nine years is within reach.
While Arsenal players slumped over at the end of Sunday's clash, City's convened in a huddle as supporters in the stands wildly celebrated a massive three points.
The travelling contingent made a quick exit from Etihad Stadium, while the City faithful jumped up and down to the tune of Milky's Just The Way You Are.
That song is becoming the soundtrack of City's season, with the words reworked into catchy chants for new signings Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo.
"The full-time celebration felt a bit much," former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy told BBC Sport. "If you are an Arsenal player, you are thinking 'hold on, we're still leading'. It was a heavy celebration, I was surprised with that.
"I get it in the emotional moment and I have been in those games where I have done it and you celebrate too much. It did seem like they were celebrating the title. By winning the game as a group, they probably thought now we have a chance.
"Even a draw was handing it to Arsenal, so I do get it."
Erling Haaland's second-half winner sparked a cacophony of noise after Cherki had given the hosts the lead, with Kai Havertz equalising in between following Gianluigi Donnarumma's error.
Both sides still have their destiny in their own hands in this gripping title race - even if City win all their remaining games it might not be enough as Arsenal could pip them on goal difference.
On paper, Arsenal's run-in looks more favourable as their five remaining games are against teams in the bottom half of the table.
City captain Bernardo Silva called the victory "very big" adding: "It puts us in a position if we win our game in hand we are on the same points.
"Two weeks ago this scenario didn't look very likely. I am happy we can be on the same points."
One aspect of the title race was settled on Sunday with the prospect of an end-of-season play-off now over - should the teams be level on points, goal difference and goals scored come 24 May, City will collect the title by worthy of a better head-to-head record.
Sunday's game was the latest into a season City had faced the league leaders since April 2012.
On that occasion they beat rivals Manchester United 1-0 at Etihad Stadium courtesy of Vincent Kompany's winner en route to securing their first Premier League title on goal difference.
Read more from Shamoon on who are the title favourites here