Heading into the weekend, Arsenal could have moved 12 points clear of Manchester City but now the gap is just six points ahead of next weekend’s crunch meeting at the Etihad Stadium
Arsenal remain in control of the Premier League title race, even though Man City have closed the gap
Arsenal suffered the worst-possible weekend in the Premier League title race as Manchester City took advantage of the Gunners’ shock home defeat to Bournemouth.
Mikel Arteta’s men went down 2-1 to the Cherries at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday before Pep Guardiola’s hungry challengers recorded a statement win at Chelsea to close the gap to just six points.
Had Arsenal beaten Bournemouth, they would have built a 12-point cushion at the summit before City travelled to Stamford Bridge but now the tables have drastically turned.
However, the good news is that all hope is not lost for leaders Arsenal as their destiny still remains in their own hands ahead of this Sunday’s monstrous trip to the Etihad Stadium.
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After 32 matches, Arsenal are currently on 70 points meaning their maximum points tally is 88. Meanwhile, City have claimed 64 points from 31 games and still have a game in hand – at home to Crystal Palace – to play before the end of the season. City’s maximum total is 85 points.
If Arsenal win at the Etihad on Sunday, just three more wins from their final five games would clinch the title, equating to a points tally of 12 – providing they beat City.
If they draw with City, that would not be the worst result in the world by any stretch. In that case, Arsenal’s maximum points tally would be 86 while City’s would be 83.
In that case, Arsenal would need to claim 13 extra points from their final five games to mathematically secure the title, though obviously there’s a chance City could drop further points along the way.
If City win, the Gunners would have to win their final five matches to stand a chance of winning their first top-flight title since 2004 and even then, it could go down to goal difference.
At this moment, Arsenal have a goal difference of 38 while City’s is 35. The latter’s 3-0 demolition of Chelsea has certainly helped their cause.
Regarding fixtures, the Gunners host Newcastle and Fulham, travel to West Ham, host Burnley, and then travel to Crystal Palace on the final day of the season.
City head to Burnley next Wednesday after facing Arsenal before also travelling to Everton, hosting Brentford, travelling to Bournemouth and staging Aston Villa at the Etihad on the final day of the campaign.
Guardiola’s side also need to fit in that re-arranged fixture against Crystal Palace (H), which is expected to take place in the final two weeks of the campaign.
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