🔥 City and Arsenal in an early Premier League final, your pick | OneFootball

Etihad Stadium will be the stage this Sunday (19) for the “early final” of the 2025/26 Premier League!

Manchester City and Arsenal face off at 12:30 p.m. in a Matchday 33 clash that could shape the course of the English title race.

The league situation, which once seemed comfortable for Arsenal, has changed drastically.

Mikel Arteta’s side had opened up a nine-point lead at the top of the table, but a recent slip-up at home allowed Manchester City to close in dangerously, with Pep Guardiola’s team riding an unstoppable run.

The current gap between the two teams is six points (Arsenal 70 x 64 Manchester City).

However, Guardiola’s side has a game in hand, against Crystal Palace, in a match that was postponed because City were playing in the EFL Cup final — against Arsenal, of all teams.

🧮 Title race math

If they win today, Manchester City will depend only on themselves.

If both teams win all of their remaining matches, they would finish the competition level on 85 points.

In the Premier League, the first tiebreaker is goal difference. At the moment, Arsenal have the edge (38 to 35).

The second tiebreaker is goals scored, where City are ahead (63 to 62). If they are still level, head-to-head comes into play (they drew 1-1 in the first meeting).

In their last three matches, City beat Arsenal themselves to win the EFL Cup, crushed Liverpool 4-0 in the FA Cup, and defeated Chelsea 3-0 in the Premier League.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are in poor form: they have won only one of their last five matches and were recently knocked out of the domestic cups.

🏥 Absences and Doubts

Both teams take the field with problems.

Guardiola will have to rebuild his defense, as center-backs Rúben Dias, Gvardiol, and Stones are all out for the match.

On Arsenal’s side, Arteta will be without Merino and Saka. In addition, key names such as Odegaard, Timber, Calafiori, and Madueke are doubts.

📋 Match Details: Manchester City x Arsenal

Lineups:

Manchester City

Arsenal

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

📸 Justin Setterfield - 2026 Getty Images