It was always going to be big. However, recent events have made Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City on Sunday a shocker.
Just a few weeks ago, the title fight felt like a formality. Some declared early on that Arsenal had an advantage. But after the Gunners’ debacle at home to Bournemouth on Saturday, Manchester City know they could snatch their title rivals on goal difference if they win their next two Premier League games. And unfortunately for Mikel Arteta and co, Pep Guardiola’s side generally proved themselves to be a completely different animal in the spring.
Sunday’s game could have serious implications for the title and is shaping up to be the biggest game of the season. But where does the heavyweight match rank among the blockbuster events in Premier League history?We asked the Mirror Football team.
read more: Man City’s unbeaten run in April, Mikel Arteta’s disappointing record and Arsenal’s near missread more: Marc Gehi warns Arsenal, Man City star reveals secret to latest title win
john cross
This matchup has great significance for this season.
If Manchester City win, there is no doubt that all the momentum will be on them, so it is safe to argue that the winner takes all. Similarly, if Arsenal win, it will depend on whether Mikel Arteta’s side can go all the way and claim the title. And if it’s a tie…well, nothing is decided.
So I think this is a blockbuster and the best match of the season. And we can’t wait to see these two rivals get down to business at the Etihad.
But in the end that doesn’t necessarily decide things, which is probably why it goes down alongside Liverpool’s infamous Chelsea game and Steven Gerrard’s slip at Anfield. That was also in April, so if Liverpool had won, they would have definitely won the title. They didn’t – and blew it.
Arsenal under pressure after losing at home to Bournemouth on Saturday (Image: Getty Images)
John Stones’ famous goal-line clearance in January 2019 when Manchester City absolutely had to win. Liverpool could have increased their lead by 10 points. Instead, City won 2-1 and clinched the title.
This is not a game against QPR where Sergio Aguero clinches the title on the final day. Or if football existed before the Premier League, the greatest title-clinching match was at Anfield in 1989, when Arsenal beat Liverpool 2-0 to win the title.
Arsenal will probably need another 89 at Anfield on Sunday.
sam mead
Man City are currently just six points behind Arsenal and could turn things around within the next few days (Image: Getty Images)
This is without a doubt the biggest Premier League match of the last decade, even surpassing some of the City vs. Liverpool fixtures from the glorious Guardiola vs. Jurgen Klopp era. Their place in the season meant that no matter the outcome, it always felt like a new twist was on the cards. That won’t be the case this time, but City need a win to clinch the title. Even a draw for Arsenal could be enough to keep the Manchester giants at bay. However, it is clear that rifts are appearing within the Gunners. But in terms of the biggest games of the Premier League era, they still have a long way to go to surpass City’s 2012 clash with Manchester United, when Vincent Kompany headed home the winner. That was just three games from the end of the season. It was a force to come, a team desperate to dominate not just the top league, but their own city. It was Sir Alex Ferguson who tried to stop Roberto Mancini. The title battle was decided by goal difference. There are many similarities between that title fight and this one, but the magnitude of the Manchester derby on April 30, 2012 was unique.
Jeremy Cross
There were bigger games than this weekend’s match between Manchester City and Arsenal. However, there is no denying that the upcoming matchup is one of the most important in recent seasons.
This result does not determine who wins the title. Because more twists and turns await from now on. However, the winner will take pole position and become the champion of England.
Arsenal will be top of the table. However, if City defeat Mikel Arteta’s side, they will be in pole position and reclaim the title.
And all the momentum is with Pep Guardiola and his players.
Andy Dunn
Guardiola and City came out on top at Wembley a few weeks ago (Image: Conor Molloy/ProSports/Shutterstock)
From a physical point of view, it is not ideal for Arsenal to have a very important midweek game before they visit the Etihad Stadium next Sunday.
But from a psychological perspective, that may be a good thing. The Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting Lisbon will provide a distraction from the hype that has already made up the game against Manchester City.
It’s a very old cliché, but Mikel Arteta has to treat the trip to the Etihad as another important game. It doesn’t decide the title.
Josep Guardiola’s side have six more games to play after Sunday’s game. That includes trips to Bournemouth and Everton, which are no easy feats.
City’s wins over Liverpool in the FA Cup and Chelsea in the Premier League were impressive. However, there were long periods of time where they looked vulnerable in both games. City’s perfection from now until the end of the season is by no means a given, so this weekend’s showdown is important but not decisive.
And we might get a verdict on these 115 charges before the season ends. That would be interesting.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can always check out. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
World Cup Legends: The stars of soccer’s biggest tournament in history – buy the special edition now
