{"id":2091,"date":"2026-04-12T07:08:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T07:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=2091"},"modified":"2026-04-12T07:08:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T07:08:10","slug":"how-man-city-can-go-top-in-eleven-days-after-massive-arsenal-slip-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=2091","title":{"rendered":"How Man City can go top in ELEVEN days after massive Arsenal slip up"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_b6bb55\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Arsenal&#8217;s 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth in the Premier League in Saturday&#8217;s early kick-off left the door open for Manchester City, who now have the opportunity to close the gap at the top<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\">15:07, 11 Apr 2026<\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated 15:08, 11 Apr 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36999234\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36999234.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2270854707.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36999234.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2270854707.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36999234.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2270854707.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36999234.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2270854707.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Mikel Arteta watched his side lose against Bournemouth\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Mikel Arteta watched his side lose against Bournemouth<cite aria-label=\"Image: Shaun Botterill\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Shaun Botterill\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal kicked off against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon knowing that a victory would send them 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League table. They ended the match contemplating a complete momentum shift in the title race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Alex Scott&#8217;s brilliant goal at the Emirates Stadium gave Bournemouth a 2-1 win and put a cat amongst the pigeons at the top of the table. Arsenal looked disjointed and struggled to muster much pressure on the Cherries&#8217; goal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Their goal came from a Viktor Gyokeres penalty after a handball and there was little for Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic to do. Arsenal still have a nine-point lead over Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola&#8217;s side have two games in hand &#8211; and, crucially, face Arsenal next weekend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It potentially means a huge change of fortunes for Mikel Arteta&#8217;s side. City travel to west London to play Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday needing a win to keep the pressure on. Victory at Stamford Bridge would set up next Sunday&#8217;s match at the Etihad Stadium perfectly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!<\/strong><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mirrorfootball\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">  Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football&#8217;s Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_020eaf\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Arsenal dealt huge title blow as Bournemouth stun league leaders &#8211; 5 talking points<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_020eaf\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Man Utd and Arsenal discover Sandro Tonali transfer terms as Newcastle take a stand<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Wins over Chelsea and Arsenal would bring the gap down to three points, and the fact that City then play Burnley on April 22 &#8211; before Arsenal host Newcastle on April 25 &#8211; could mean that Guardiola&#8217;s side overtake Arsenal, provided they close the gap in goal difference. Arsenal currently sit on +38, six better than City&#8217;s +32.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arteta did not try and hide his emotions. &#8220;Disappointing. It&#8217;s a big punch in the face and it&#8217;s about how we react now,&#8221; he told TNT Sports. &#8220;They are a team who haven&#8217;t lost for 11 games for a reason, they did a lot right.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;We were far from efficient. The first chance they had to attack the box, it&#8217;s a deflection, a bad defending action and it&#8217;s a goal. That&#8217;s something we have to recover from. The second half you expect a different game. We did a lot of strange things today. We have been very consistent. This can happen, this is football.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside class=\"Factbox_factbox-container__hSMOa\" id=\"factbox\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Entering Factbox content\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36999270\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"factbox\" data-testid=\"factbox\">\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs Factbox_heading-three__NXU52 __className_e65c2b\">Premier League title run-in<\/h3>\n<div class=\"Factbox_content__xdMV8\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Arsenal&#8217;s remaining league fixtures<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Man City (A) &#8211; April 19<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Newcastle (H) &#8211; April 25<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Fulham (H) &#8211; May 2<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">West Ham (A) &#8211; May 10<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Burnley (H) &#8211; May 17<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Crystal Palace (A) &#8211; May 24<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Manchester City&#8217;s remaining league fixtures<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea (A) &#8211; April 12<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal (H) &#8211; April 19<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Burnley (A) &#8211; April 22<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Everton (A) &#8211; May 4<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Brentford (H) &#8211; May 9<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Bournemouth (A) &#8211; May 17<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Aston Villa (H) &#8211; May 24<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><em><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">HAVE YOUR SAY! Who will win the Premier League title? <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"#comments-section\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Comment below.<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Asked if his players were hurting, he replied: &#8220;A lot. It has to hurt. They have to take it on the chin. You stand up and go for the fight or you&#8217;re out. It&#8217;s a big week. A lot at stake. We&#8217;re still in a good position in both competitions.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;This is a huge disappointment,&#8221; Arsenal title-winner Martin Keown said on TNT Sports. &#8220;Bournemouth were Magnificent but how many times have we been saying that now? Southampton were magnificent last week. You have to be better than you were today.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36999105\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36999105\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Alex Scott of AFC Bournemouth celebrates\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36999105.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2270852684.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36999105.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2270852684.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36999105.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2270852684.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36999105.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2270852684.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Alex Scott won the game for Bournemouth\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Alex Scott won the game for Bournemouth<cite aria-label=\"Image: Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Bournemouth pressed exceptionally well, but it&#8217;s about sticking together, and you are going to have to, they have a huge game in the midweek, and everyone is going to be writing you off now. Will that change the mentality of the players? The pressure today was too much at times, and we\u2019re lacking energy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Now people have to stand up. Personalities have to come forward. Leaders need to emerge. It\u2019s still in your hands because you play Manchester City in the Premier League. You do have a Champions League game midweek though, and you need to make sure that the wheels do not come off.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Feq1SEG6mXDIZGTTnek7oz\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><em>Join our new WhatsApp community<\/em><\/a>  and receive your daily dose of <em>Mirror<\/em> <em>Football<\/em> content. 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Any online orders will be dispatched from Wednesday <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">March 25 <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">and postage and packaging applies.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arsenal&#8217;s 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth in the Premier League in Saturday&#8217;s early kick-off left the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2092,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2091","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2091","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2091"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2091\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2092"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2091"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2091"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2091"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}