Arsenal know two outcomes this weekend may imply Premier League title virtually within the bag
Arsenal hold a commanding six-point lead over Manchester City with a seismic weekend ahead – with results that could define the Premier League title race
Mikel Arteta could have one hand on the trophy
The heat is intensifying as the Premier League’s elite charge towards the closing stages of another captivating campaign. And nobody has felt the burden more acutely than Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Fewer than two weeks ago, doubters were questioning whether Arsenal possessed the mettle to secure the club’s first league crown since 2003. A sequence of three league matches without victory had sparked genuine concerns about Arsenal’s ability to become England’s new football monarchs.
Arteta clearly craved the title, but lacked the experience or expertise to claim his place on the summit. However, whilst Arsenal faltered, Manchester City completely collapsed.
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Losing the Manchester derby at Old Trafford was damaging enough, but City then surrendered a two-goal advantage at Tottenham to discard another pair of vital points.
Nevertheless, Guardiola avoided the same invasion of privacy and examination that Arteta endured. This disparity might stem from Guardiola’s track record as a serial champion, whilst Arteta remains unproven, reports the Mirror.
Arteta has claimed just one FA Cup since assuming control of Arsenal in 2019. During the identical period, Guardiola has secured 16 trophies, including five titles and a historic Treble in 2023.
The two bosses shouldn’t be compared in the same conversation. Yet the allies and adversaries stand level as they approach a pivotal weekend, one that could decisively influence who stands tallest come June.
Arsenal hold a commanding six point advantage heading into tomorrow’s home clash with Sunderland. Defeat the newcomers and that gap will stretch to nine points, before City make the journey to Anfield to face bitter rivals Liverpool 24 hours later.
A venue which has haunted Guardiola since he arrived in English football a decade ago. Guardiola has savoured triumph just once from 10 visits to Liverpool as City manager, when fans were not present in the stadium during Covid and his players didn’t have to face the Anfield atmosphere, against which they have wilted on so many occasions.
And the anniversary of this will be, as it happens, exactly five years ago this weekend. City’s Tijjani Reijnders understands the importance of his side’s encounter with the reigning champions.
He said: “Yes we need to win, that’s for sure. It will be a big match and we have to be ready, of course and show what we can do. We can’t afford any more slip-ups. We want to win every game and this game won’t be different for us. So we have to be ready.”
The result of proceedings at Anfield will not determine the title. But if City lose (again), Arsenal could have one hand on the trophy if matters unfold as planned at the Emirates the day before.
There are further obstacles ahead for both clubs, who are still battling on all four fronts. Including a Carabao Cup final between them at Wembley on March 22. A chance for one of them to draw first blood.
To establish a statement and utilise as a platform to continue and claim more silverware, or even secure a Quadruple.
However, Guardiola’s issue is that, unless his team can find more consistency in the league, his chances of securing another title could be well out of reach by the time he faces off with Arteta in the season’s first major final.
