Arsenal handed Man City warning as Premier League title run-ins compared

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Evening Standard

·23 de março de 2026

Arsenal handed Man City warning as Premier League title run-ins compared

Gunners currently have a nine-point lead over Man City, but history shows that may not be enough

Arsenal have been handed a stern warning as attentions shift towards the Premier League title run-in.

Vídeos OneFootball

The Gunners are currently nine points clear at the top of the Premier League table, though they have played one game more than Manchester City and still have to visit the Etihad Stadium.

It remains to be seen what impact Man City’s 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final has on the title race, though Antoine Semenyo, Phil Foden and Rodri believe claiming the first trophy of the season has provided a much needed boost.

History suggests City have every reason to feel confident of clawing back the nine points on Arsenal.

A graphic posted by Sky Sports after the Carabao Cup final highlighted that Man City are the most prolific team when it comes to overturning the biggest deficits to win the Premier League title after at least 30 matches have been played.

On five separate occasions Man City have trailed the league leaders heading into the run-in, only to come out on top at the finish.

Could history repeat itself as Man City get to work in the Premier League title race?

Sky Sports

The most recent example was in the 2023-24 season when they were four points off the top with six games remaining but still pipped Arsenal to the title on the final day.

What may serve as a cause for concern for Arsenal is City have previously won the league having been nine points off the top, and that was with five games remaining in the 2013-14 campaign.

With all of that in mind, Standard Sport has assessed in each team’s remaining fixtures...

Arsenal

Arsenal, despite defeat in the Carabao Cup final, are in a very good position in the Premier League title race with seven matches still to play.

As things stand, the Gunners require 16 points to be crowned champions of England for the first time in over 20 years. That works out to five wins and a draw in the best-case scenario.

Since throwing away a 2-0 lead to draw with bottom of the table Wolves, Arsenal have responded in fine fashion by beating Tottenham, Chelsea, Brighton and Everton to get back on track in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta’s side only leave London once in the run-in, though it is away to Man City in what has previously been billed as a title decider. That is not quite case anymore as the Gunners can afford a defeat at the Etihad and still go on to be crowned champions.

On paper, Arsenal do have a favourable run-in. Four of their remaining seven games are at home and they will view matches against Bournemouth, Newcastle, Fulham and Burnley as must-win to leave them on the brink of glory.

An away trip to London Stadium will prove tricky given West Ham are battling for survival, while the title could be wrapped up by the time the Gunners visit Crystal Palace on the final day.

Bournemouth (H)

Man City (A)

Newcastle (H)

Fulham (H)

West Ham (A)

Burnley (H)

Crystal Palace (A)

Pressure: Arsenal came up short in the Carabao Cup final but still have a healthy lead in the Premier League title race

Action Images via Reuters

Man City

Man City will hope their Carabao Cup success can serve as a springboard for a strong end to the season with another domestic treble still on the table.

City are three wins away from lifting the FA Cup once again, but dropping points against Nottingham Forest and West Ham means they have plenty of work to do in order to reclaim the Premier League title.

The issue with Man City this season has been consistency and Guardiola is aware his side have to be perfect in their remaining eight matches to keep the pressure on Arsenal.

While the title race cannot be decided at the Etihad on April 19, it is almost certain Man City must win that showdown to remain alive in the race as they will be expected to take care of Burnley, Brentford and Aston Villa.

Tricky away trips to Chelsea, Everton and Bournemouth - teams battling for European football - must generate maximum points for Man City, especially if Arsenal keep winning, to take the title race into the final weeks of the season.

A lot may depend on when the Crystal Palace fixture is rearranged as that is Man City’s game in hand which could decide if the title race goes down to the wire.