Packed Man City fixture schedule compared to Arsenal's ahead of title run-in
Arsenal have been accused of 'bottling' the Premier League title following their 3-3 draw against Southampton at the Emirates on Friday night.
That result leaves the Gunners five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table having played two games more. As Pep Guardiola's side have won 10 consecutive domestic fixtures, most critics are backing them to usurp Arsenal and defend their title.
Yet football is a funny game. There's every chance City could slip up in the title race, especially with a gruelling Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid on the horizon. They also have an FA Cup final against Manchester United to prepare for.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have just six Premier League games left to focus on - starting with Wednesday's crucial clash at the Etihad. Here are each team's fixture lists for the run in.
Arsenal
Position: First
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Points: 75
Remaining Premier League fixtures: Manchester City (A), Chelsea (H), Newcastle (A), Brighton (H), Nottingham Forest (A), Wolves (H)
Arsenal may only have six games remaining, but they're not easy. Even if they can beat City at the Etihad, it will be difficult for them to win at Newcastle on May 7.
Gunners fans will remember the last time they travelled to Newcastle in their penultimate game of last season, when a 2-0 win for the Magpies cost Arsenal the chance to qualify for the Champions League. Newcastle are in brilliant form too, as they hammered Tottenham 6-1 at St James' Park on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal will take on Manchester City in a huge title clash on Wednesday night (Getty Images)Who do you think will win the Premier League title? Let us know in the comments below!
Brighton will also be a tricky game. The Seagulls have already won once at the Emirates this season, recording a 3-1 victory in the Carabao Cup in November.
Still, Mikel Arteta's side will have tunnel vision. Their task is simple: win six games to claim the Premier League title. It's a golden opportunity to end a 19-year wait to take home the biggest prize in English football. They need to focus on the positives and put those draws against Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton to bed.
Manchester City
Position: Second
Points: 70
Remaining Premier League fixtures: Arsenal (H), Fulham (A), West Ham (H), Leeds (H), Everton (A), Chelsea (H), Brighton (A), Brentford (A)
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It's all starting to look a bit ominous for City. Wednesday night's game will be crucial, as they will move within two points of Arsenal with two games still in hand if they win. If that happens, it will be very difficult for the Gunners to stop them from retaining their title.
There's a good chance that will happen too, as City have already beaten them twice this season (once in the Premier League, once in the FA Cup).
It's hard to imagine Fulham, West Ham, Leeds, Everton or Chelsea standing in City's way, to be honest, although those final two fixtures at Brighton and Brentford will be difficult. Yet City could have wrapped up the title before they travel to the Amex on May 24.
Their FA Cup final clash with Man Utd should not have any bearing on the title race, as it takes place six days after the final Premier League matchday. City's two-legged Champions League clash with Real Madrid will take a lot out of them, and perhaps that could have an impact on their Premier League form.
But Arsenal's best chance of stopping City is by getting a result at the Etihad, whether that be a draw or a win.
There's a famous video of Jose Mourinho giving his Chelsea players a team talk ahead of a big game during the 2005/06 campaign. He says: "I'm not putting pressure on you about, 'We have to win'. I don't want to put that kind of pressure [on you]. But we cannot lose, we cannot lose."
That's exactly the type of mentality Arteta's team will need to have when they turn up at the Etihad on Wednesday night.
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