Premier League title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City spent most of Saturday hoping their rivals would slip up, but no such catastrophes arrived as both sides picked up wins at home.
The Gunners eventually broke through against Bournemouth and ended up running out 3-0 winners at the Emirates Stadium, but the Cityzens showed few signs of feeling the pressure as they routed Wolves 5-1 with Erling Haaland getting on the scoresheet four times.
With the 2023/24 season approaching its conclusion, here’s what Arsenal and Man City need in the final weeks of the campaign to secure the title.
While Arsenal remain in top spot after Saturday’s victory over Bournemouth in the early kick-off, they still require a slip-up from Man City to claim their first Premier League title since 2003/04.
The weekend’s results mean Mikel Arteta’s side still hold a one-point advantage over Pep Guardiola’s outfit, who completely trounced Wolves later in the day, but the reigning champions still have a game in hand. If both sides win all their remaining matches, it will be the Cityzens who claim a fourth top-flight championship in a row.
Goal difference is currently in Arsenal’s favour, boasting +60 in comparison to Man City’s +54, meaning a draw from their rivals would be enough to put the north Londoners in the driving seat.
Liverpool can still technically finish top of the pile but would require major implosions from the current top two to reduce the eight-point gap to the summit.
Pos
Team
Played
GD
Pts
1.
Arsenal
36
+60
83
2.
Man City
35
+54
82
3.
Liverpool
35
+41
75
Arsenal’s next Premier League fixture is a big one, coming away at Old Trafford when they battle Manchester United. The Gunners and the Red Devils were once fierce rivals at the top of the table but Erik ten Hag’s side have endured a disappointing campaign and can only finish fifth at best.
Arteta’s squad then have a week to prepare for their final game of the season at home against Everton, who have recently secured their place in the top flight despite suffering points deductions throughout the campaign.
Man City, however, have three matches left to fulfil. They play a day before Arsenal when they visit Fulham at Craven Cottage in Gameweek 37 and are then in midweek action with a defining fixture away at Tottenham. If they win both of those outings and Arsenal beat Man Utd, the Cityzens will take a two-point lead into the final day when they host West Ham.
Arsenal
Man City
Manchester United (A) – 12/05/24
Fulham (A) – 11/05/24
–
Tottenham (A) – 14/05/24
Everton (H) – 19/05/24
West Ham (H) – 19/05/24
