This year looked like it would be a different year for Arsenal. That this would finally be a campaign that culminated with them toasting their first Premier League title since 2004.
At one point they had such a large lead that in February one bookmaker paid a premium for them to win the league. However, as usual, Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have bounced back and could take the lead with a game in midweek when they face relegated Burnley.
City are the current force and will be keen to win their fifth title in six years. But as Declan Rice said after Sunday’s game, nothing is over yet and Arsenal still have time and games left to rally and fend off the challenge from Guardiola and co.
can they do it? We asked the Mirror Football team to predict the rest of the season to determine who will win the title next month…
read more: Arsene Wenger’s real thoughts on Mikel Arteta’s suffering after Arsenal’s loss to Man Cityread more: Wayne Rooney takes aim at Man City star for ‘premature’ celebration against Arsenal
Andy Dunn
There’s a lot of drama and emotion surrounding the title fight right now, but there’s a simple truth. Manchester City look like a team that cannot fail in their remaining six Premier League games.
That means Arsenal need to win all five games and outscore Josep Guardiola’s side. Both scenarios are unlikely. In fact, picking up maximum points in Saturday’s home game against Newcastle United is by no means a given.
Apart from the importance of the win against Arsenal, the number of options Guardiola was given in that game was frightening. Let’s take a look back at the lineup and check out City’s bench. Things may change, but the City manager has no serious injury concerns and will be able to balance Premier League appearances with FA Cup appearances.
It’s true that games away to Everton and away to Bournemouth will be difficult, but this is a strategy to step up a gear at the right time. It may take until the final day, but City will get it done.
Man City:
Burnley (A) – 0-4
Everton (A) – 1-3
Brentford (H) – 2-0
Bournemouth (A) – 1-2
Crystal Palace (H) – 3-0
Aston Villa (H) – 2-0
Arsenal:
Newcastle (H) – 2-1
Fulham (H) – 1-0
West Ham (A) – 1-1
Burnley (H) – 4-0
Crystal Palace (A) – 1-2
john cross
Arsenal and Mikel Arteta could end the season as runners-up again in the title race (Image: Getty)
Currently, there is only one winner in the title fight. Manchester City’s momentum continues and Pep Guardiola will be aiming for a seventh Premier League title.
City always time their attacks well, but Arsenal mistimed their attacks and looked unsteady and nervous. Don’t say the Carabao Cup final wasn’t important. That planted a seed of doubt, City took Arsenal’s number and they’ve been on edge ever since.
Watch the City game. They have to win everything. The only complication is that the match will be rearranged to coincide with the FA Cup. Crystal Palace still have room to rebuild. Bournemouth are scheduled to play their final FA Cup game at the weekend, and a pile-up could be an issue.
However, Villa had nothing to play on the final day, and the Europa League final could have been played a few days earlier. Forget it.
Arsenal must beat Newcastle on Saturday, but the mentality is shaky in these must-win games. I also think it will be difficult for the Hammers to play West Ham away as they will be fighting for survival.
Man City:
Burnley (A) – 0-3
Everton (A) – 1-2
Brentford (H) – 3-1
Bournemouth (A) – 1-1
Crystal Palace (H) – 2-0
Aston Villa (H) – 2-0
Arsenal:
Newcastle (H) – 2-2
Fulham (H) – 2-0
West Ham (A) – 1-1
Burnley (H) – 3-1
Crystal Palace (A) – 1-1
Jeremy Cross
Manchester City are favored after Sunday’s match (Image: Getty Images)
Manchester City may look more difficult, but they also have plenty of momentum. And there is one big difference between City and Arsenal. That means Pep Guardiola and his players know how to win titles. They know how to handle the heat in the homestretch.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are not. It’s been a long time since the London club were crowned champions of England, and some of Mikel Arteta’s star players were yet to be born.
More twists and turns are likely as the season approaches its climax. But now City are in control of their own destiny and it’s hard to see them failing.
This could possibly be Guardiola’s last season as manager, and the Spaniard has no intention of leaving the Etihad without winning another title.
Man City:
Burnley (A) – 4-0
Everton (A) – 1-0
Brentford (H) – 2-0
Bournemouth (A) – 2-1
Crystal Palace (H – 3-0
Aston Villa (H) – 2-1 Arsenal:
Newcastle (H) – 2-1
Fulham (H) – 2-0
West Ham (A) – 1-1
Burnley (H) – 3-0
Crystal Palace (A) – 2-0
daniel ohm
Josep Guardiola could end the season with another Premier League title (Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal weren’t bad at the Etihad Stadium. They created more than enough chances to win, but the match was decided by a close margin.
And the same theme should apply to the title fight from now until the end of the season. Josep Guardiola’s side have been doing relatively well until the end of the season and should rack up many wins.
They could face Bournemouth, who are looking to end the season on a positive note under manager Andoni Iraola. And that’s the only point where I see them going down.
The same is true for Arsenal, who also run relatively straightforwardly. Newcastle could pose problems despite a tricky campaign, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see West Ham sign something in an attempt to secure their Premier League future.
That would seal the title on goal difference and, given City’s attacking talent, they would be celebrating on May 24th.
Man City:
Burnley (A) – 0-4
Everton (A) – 1-2
Brentford (H) – 2-0
Bournemouth (A) – 1-1
Crystal Palace (H) – 3-0
Aston Villa – (H) 2-1
Arsenal:
Newcastle (H) – 1-0
Fulham (H) – 3-1
West Ham (A) – 0-0
Burnley – (H) 3-0
Crystal Palace (A) – 1-2
samuel mead
Manchester City could overtake Arsenal in the table with a win against Burnley later this week (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
City got the win they needed on Sunday, but as history shows, when it needs to be perfect, it often is. I would expect the same again, even though they have some challenging games coming up. Actually, I don’t think Guardiola needs to go for six out of six. That’s because even if they put in a good performance at the Etihad, Arsenal’s tremors are real. Although he hasn’t had an overwhelming performance lately, he has shown his best performance in recent weeks. It could actually be crushing because they were good enough to win, only to lose. The emotional impact may be telling. Arsenal will no doubt be keeping an eye on City’s away fixtures at Everton and Bournemouth for hope. Likewise, they will find their next three games – Newcastle, Fulham and West Ham – full of danger.
Man City:
Burnley (A) – 0-4
Everton (A) – 0-1
Brentford (H) – 3-1
Bournemouth (A) – 0-1
Crystal Palace (H) – 4-1
Aston Villa – (H) 1-0
Arsenal:
Newcastle (H) – 2-0
Fulham (H) – 0-0
West Ham (A) – 1-2
Burnley – (H) 3-0
Crystal Palace (A) – 0-1
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