Premier League Title Race: Arsenal bottling it and Man City on the march?

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·13 April 2026

Premier League Title Race: Arsenal bottling it and Man City on the march?

Arsenal drifted to 8/13 to win the Premier League after they lost 2-1 to Bournemouth and rivals Man City beat Chelsea 3-0 on a big weekend in the title race.

The next one is likely to be even bigger with the Gunners going to City for a crucial showdown at the Etihad next Sunday (19 April).

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Pep Guardiola's men shortened to 6/5 to do what they have done in four of the last five Premier League seasons - finish the campaign top - following their confident display at Stamford Bridge.

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Are Arsenal bottling it in the title race?

Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League for the last three seasons. So far, they have been the best and most consistent team in 2025/26.

Their defeat to Bournemouth at the Emirates on Saturday, however, combined with their losses to Man City in the EFL Cup final and Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals, raises the question - are Arsenal bottling it?

Not necessarily, they pulled off an impressive 1-0 win at Sporting Lisbon last week in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final and, ahead of this week's second leg, are 9/2 to finish the season as Premier League and Champions League double winners.

There is a sense that, in their domestic performances at least, they have lost confidence at the worst possible moment.

They are six points clear of City, with six games to play, but Pep Guardiola's team have a game in hand.

If City win their game in hand and beat Arsenal on Sunday that would wipe out the Gunners' lead.

Arsenal have the superior goal difference but only by three and, with City firing, that could soon be overturned.

All of that said, this is Arsenal's best chance to win the Premier League for many years. They have the advantage heading into the home straight and their destiny is in their hands.

Will Man City reel in Arsenal in the title race?

But City's form looks ominous for Mikel Arteta and the Spaniard, who previously worked under Guardiola at the Etihad, knows that his old boss loves football in the spring. That's the time of the year when City sweep aside opponents and closing in on silverware.

City have a psychological advantage for two reasons.

Firstly, they have done this several times before under Guardiola and know what it takes to win the Premier League. Secondly, they beat Arsenal in the EFL Cup final, as mentioned, and that appears to have dented the north Londoners' self-belief.

On the other hand, City have not been the model of consistency this season. Before yesterday's win at Chelsea, Guardiola's team drew 1-1 at West Ham in their previous Premier League fixture.

What is certain is that Guardiola has the knowhow to keep his team performing all the way to the finish line. Does Arteta? It remains to be seen and the next month or so will be the biggest test that the Arsenal manager has faced so far.

Man City v Arsenal - Early prices on Sunday's title showdown

When the teams met at the Emirates in the reverse fixture in September, it finished 1-1. Last season's Etihad showdown ended 2-2.

There is not a lot between the pair these days, although you have to go all the way back to January 2015 for the last time Arsenal won away to City in the league.

On the Betfair Sportsbook City are 4/5 favourites to win Sunday's match, with the draw 11/4 and Arsenal 16/5.

Arteta would be pleased with a draw and, suffice to say, delighted win a victory that would all but confirm that the title was heading to north London for the first time since 2004.

The race is close and what happens this week will be crucial. As ever, we will have an in-depth match preview, Alan Shearer's match prediction and insight from the Football...Only Bettor podcast in the build-up.