Premier League title race: Do Arsenal or Man City have the easier run-in? | OneFootball

The Premier League is set up for another thrilling run-in after Manchester City beat Arsenal to set up a fascinating last month of the title race.

The Gunners travelled to the Etihad on Sunday with a six-point lead at the top of the table but that has now been cut to just three points, and with City holding a game in hand Mikel Arteta’s side could see their lead wiped out by Wednesday.

Arsenal are bidding to finally end their 22-year wait for a league title but they could well face a shootout for this season’s trophy, with goal difference potentially deciding the destination of the title.

City denied Arsenal the title in both 2023 and 2024, and now the Gunners will feel they need five wins from their remaining five games in order to win the league for the first time since 2004.

However, City will likely feel the same, and with six games left of their campaign, here’s how the crucial run-in is shaping up.

Remaining fixtures:

Toughest game? With the trip to Manchester City out of the way, there’s one fixture that stands out with just five more league games to go. The visit of Newcastle next week looks tough on paper, though with the Magpies faltering of late, the Gunners could well find a victory more easily than they have in the past against Eddie Howe’s side. Indeed, it may prove that the game against relegation-threatened West Ham proves more difficult.

Final straight? While the loss to City is damaging, Arsenal can only try and win all of their final five games now, and they can be confident of doing so. In May, they will play Fulham and Burnley at home. Mid-table Fulham and Crystal Palace will likely be in ‘nothing to play for’ territory while 19th-placed Burnley could well be down by the penultimate weekend. West Ham, though, will be fighting for their lives. Still, the Gunners might not have to play a top-half team in May.

Man City

Played: 32 | Points: 67 | GD: 36

Remaining fixtures:

Toughest game? Pep Guardiola’s side have hit their purple patch and the win over Arsenal closes the gap to just three points with City having a game in hand. However, City have a potentially far more difficult run-in than Arsenal, and a final-day game at home to Aston Villa could be a tough end to the season if everything isn’t already decided by then.

Final straight? On paper, much tougher than Arsenal’s. Brentford and Bournemouth are in the mix for European qualification over the final weeks of the season and City have to play them both in their final three games. Then, they host Aston Villa on the final weekend of the season. Will Unai Emery’s side have Champions League qualification wrapped up by then, or will they face a late fight to get into the top-five? City could do with hoping Villa get to the Europa League final that midweek.

Arsenal’s fixtures look more favourable than City’s, particularly in their final stretch, but the result at the Etihad means momentum has swung in City’s favour, and Pep Guardiola’s side look in ominous form as they chase a seventh title under the Spaniard.