Arsenal suffered a comedown from their midweek Champions League win over AC Milan as they were held to a 0-0 draw at strugglers Wigan Athletic on Sunday.
Arsenal found Wigan more resilient than the European aristocrats were at the San Siro and had to settle for a point which put them two clear of second-placed Manchester United, but having played one match more.
The Londoners have 66 points from 29 games, United 64 from 28 and Chelsea 58 from 27.
Arsenal, drawing for the third successive game in the league, were far from their fluent best and created few clear openings.
Emmanuel Adebayor and Cesc Fabregas wasted their best chances while the second-half introduction of Dutchman Robin van Persie after a two-month injury absence failed to spark the Gunners.
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"I am sure we will take off again. We have to keep our calm, focus and belief," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told Sky Sports News.
"You go through a patch like that sometimes. The negative is that we have a deficit in points. The positive is that we didn't lose a game."
