Need to know
Arsenal are leading the Premier League table with two games to go, and the title race is still in Mikel Arteta’s hands despite Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City beating Crystal Palace on Wednesday
Everything you need to know about the Premier League title race
- Man City win: Manchester City won against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night to move within two points of league leaders Arsenal. The 3-0 victory for Pep Guardiola’s side means the Gunners can no longer clinch the title in their next game.
- Burnley clash: Mikel Arteta’s team are next in action against Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on Monday, May 18. A home win would restore Arsenal’s lead to five points, though City would still have two games to play.
- Waiting game: As Man City play in the FA Cup final this weekend, the club are next in Premier League action against Bournemouth on Tuesday, the day after Arsenal’s game with Burnley. It means the earliest that Arsenal can win the title is Tuesday, May 19 if City drop points in their clash with the Cherries.
- Trophy lift: It also means that Arsenal will be unable to potentially lift the trophy until their final game against Crystal Palace. Even if City drop points against Bournemouth, it would be after the Gunners’ penultimate game.
- Final day scenario: Should both Arsenal and City win their respective games, the two sides would remain separated by two points. That would create a situation in which the title is decided on the final day of the season.
- Arsenal requirements: If the title race goes down to the final gameweek, the Gunners could clinch the championship with a win over Crystal Palace. They would also win the Premier League if Man City lose to Aston Villa.
- Man City permutations: If Arsenal lose against Palace on the final day, Guardiola’s team could leapfrog their rivals with a win over Villa. However, if Arsenal draw and City win, it would go down to the narrowest of margins.
- Goal difference possibility: In that scenario, the teams would be level on points. Therefore, the league title could be decided by goal difference.
- Safety net: As league leaders, Arsenal know that winning their two remaining games would guarantee securing the Premier League title. That would end the club’s 22-year wait for a league title.
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