Manchester City and Arsenal will face off in a close Carabao Cup final in March, but Arsenal could win the title race before Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta are sent off at Wembley.
Arsenal could take a big step towards winning the Premier League title this weekend (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Pressure is mounting for the Premier League’s Thoroughbreds heading into the final furlong of another fascinating season. And no one feels it more than Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Less than two weeks ago, critics were questioning whether Arsenal had the heart to win the club’s first league title since 2003. A three-game winless streak in the league has raised serious questions about Arsenal’s eligibility to be the next kings of English football.
Arteta was eager to wear the crown, but he didn’t have the knowledge or know-how to do so. But while Arsenal stumbled, Manchester City completely collapsed.
If losing the Manchester derby at Old Trafford wasn’t bad enough, City blew a two-goal lead against Tottenham and threw two more vital points in the trash.
But Guardiola escaped the same intrusion and scrutiny that Arteta was subject to. Perhaps this is due to the fact that Guardiola has proven to be a winner while Arteta has not.
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Arteta has won the FA Cup once since taking over as Arsenal manager in 2019. At the same time, Guardiola won 16 trophies, including five titles, completing a historic treble in 2023.
There is no right to discuss the two directors in the same light. But friends and rivals will stand shoulder to shoulder for a tumultuous weekend that could have a decisive impact on who will hold their head high in June.
Arsenal head into tomorrow’s home game against Sunderland with a huge six-point lead. Beating the newcomers would increase their lead to nine points and City will travel to Anfield to face tough rivals Liverpool in 24 hours.
It’s a ground that has given Guardiola nightmares since he arrived in English football 10 years ago. Guardiola has visited Liverpool 10 times as City manager and only tasted victory once.
Josep Guardiola must avoid another Anfield nightmare for Man City players
And coincidentally, this weekend marks the anniversary exactly 5 years ago. City’s Tijani Lijnders understands the importance of his team’s showdown with the reigning champions.
“Yes, we have to win, that’s for sure. It’s a big game, so of course we have to be ready and show what we can do. We can’t afford to fail any more. We want to win every game, but this game is no different for us. So we have to prepare.”
The title is not determined by the outcome of the events at Anfield. But if City lose (again), Arsenal could lift the trophy if yesterday’s game at the Emirates goes to plan.
Further challenges lie ahead for both clubs who are still competing on all four fronts. This includes the Carabao Cup final between the two sides at Wembley on March 22nd. It’s a chance for one of them to draw first blood.
Place markers to use as stepping stones to earn more trophies or even secure a foursome.
But the problem for Guardiola is that unless his team can find more consistency in the league, any chance of winning another title could be long gone by the time they clash with Arteta in the season’s first high-profile final.
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