Arsenal’s hopes of winning a first Premier League title in 22 years are now in their hands after Manchester City dropped points in an extraordinary collapse at Everton.
Mikel Arteta’s side are five points clear of City, who have a game in hand, and it means the Gunners will lift the Premier League if they win their final three games against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace.
Pep Guardiola insisted City will not give up the fight and they will play before Arsenal’s next game. Arteta’s team are away to Premier League strugglers West Ham, who will be fighting for their lives on Sunday evening.
But the balance of the title race has firmly swung in Arsenal’s direction, even after Jeremy Doku’s late equaliser at the Hill Dickinson Stadium rescued a point for City when the damage looked to have been done.
And it could be a historic season for the Gunners after they progressed past Atletico Madrid to reach their first Champions League final in 20 years, and they will face PSG in Budapest on Saturday 30 May.
Arsenal
Played: 35 | Points: 76 | GD: 41
Remaining fixtures:
- Sunday 10 May: West Ham (a)
- Monday 18 May: Burnley (h)
- Sunday 24 May: Crystal Palace (a)
- Saturday 30 May: PSG (Champions League final)
Man City
Played: 34 | Points: 71 | GD: 37
Remaining fixtures:
- Saturday 9 May: Brentford (h)
- Wednesday 13 May: Crystal Palace (h)
- Saturday 16 May: Chelsea (FA Cup final)
- Tuesday 19 May: Bournemouth (a)
- Sunday 24 May: Aston Villa (h)
When could Arsenal win the Premier League?
It’s not done yet, but it’s advantage Arsenal in the title race. If Arsenal beat West Ham on Sunday and Manchester City fail to beat either Brentford or Crystal Palace at home in their next two games, it would mean the Gunners would be able to lift the title at the Emirates with a victory over relegated Burnley in their final home game of the season. If City lose to Brentford, and Arsenal beat West Ham, it could be over by next Wednesday if Guardiola’s side then fail to beat Palace, leaving Arsenal as champions before their final home game.
How can Man City take it down to the wire?
By winning their next three games, Manchester City would be able to take the title race to the final day of the season, where Arsenal are away at Crystal Palace and Guardiola’s side host Aston Villa. Arsenal dropping points would also mean City have the title in their hands again. Sunday’s game at West Ham looks Arsenal’s trickiest game by far, as the Hammers are battling for survival. After that, the Gunners will play relegated Burnley and finish their season at a Palace team who could be preparing for a European final a few days later.
