This season’s Premier League title race is shaping up to be quite close. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners project has reached dizzying heights much earlier than anyone could have predicted, and Arsenal have been the surprise leaders for much of the season. Liverpool and Chelsea aren’t playing well, so Arsenal only have to worry about perennial winners Manchester City.
Arsenal won the Premier League title against Man City
Even when your competition has weakened, knowing that Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City is hot on your heels is unsettling. Just two weeks ago, Arsenal had an eight-point lead. But now there are just four, and City has a game in hand. In a little over a week, the two title contenders will square off at the Etihad Stadium in what might be a winner-take-all matchup.
Arsenal’s blunders have recently given Man City a chance to gain ground. Arsenal blew a 2-0 lead last week in Liverpool, resulting in a 2-2 draw at Anfield. Even with Liverpool’s recent form, a draw at Anfield is not the worst result, and it happened again last weekend. After playing in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night, struggling West Ham hosted Arsenal at the London Stadium, and Arsenal exploded for two goals in the first ten minutes. At 2-1 up, Bukayo Saka missed a penalty, and they let another advantage slip away to draw 2-2.
That puts the championship race squarely in the hands of both teams. Next week, should both teams go undefeated, the championship will be decided between them. Despite the setback of losing points in their last two games, Arsenal will receive a boost in their title hopes this weekend. The Gunners have the potential to build a seven-point lead over City at the top of the table.
This weekend, City will face Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-finals. On Friday night, Arsenal will face the last-place Southampton team. If Arteta’s team were to win, they would create a seven-point lead at the top of the table. Of course, City will have two games in hand, but this would increase the pressure on Guardiola’s club before their upcoming matchup.
