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

The Premier League is constructing in direction of one other thrilling run-in, as Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis face off within the title race.

After three second-place finishes in a row, Arsenal are bidding to lastly finish their 22-year anticipate a league title beneath Mikel Arteta.

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However they’re as soon as once more dealing with competitors from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis, who denied them in each 2023 and 2024.

Aston Villa, in third place beneath Unai Emery, are the closest challengers outdoors of the highest two because the marketing campaign heads in direction of the ultimate straight.

Right here’s how the essential run-in is shaping up.

Arsenal

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Hardest recreation? It’s clearly the journey to Manchester Metropolis in mid-April, with simply 5 extra league video games to observe after that. Arsenal haven’t received on the Etihad since January 2015 and their title problem went up in smoke there in a 4-1 thrashing in April 2023, earlier than arguably enjoying too protected in a 0-0 attract March 2024. Arsenal are in a great place to take a result in the Etihad, although, and have proven they’re made from stronger stuff beneath Mikel Arteta during the last couple of years: so a draw might be important this time round.

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A possible banana pores and skin? What about Everton? The Toffees admittedly have a woeful document on the Emirates, however they’ve the fifth-best away document within the Premier League this season beneath David Moyes. Plus, it is going to fall in between the 2 legs of their Champions League last-16 tie, and per week earlier than the Carabao Cup ultimate in opposition to Manchester Metropolis. That is exactly the kind of recreation the place Arsenal can’t afford to take their eye off the ball.

Last straight? On paper, it’s trying good for Arsenal. In Could, they may play Fulham and Burnley at house. Mid-table Fulham will seemingly be in ‘nothing to play for’ territory whereas Nineteenth-placed Burnley might properly be down by the penultimate weekend. West Ham, although, might be preventing for his or her lives, and Crystal Palace, too, might be dragged into hazard by the ultimate recreation of the season. Nonetheless, the Gunners may not should play a top-half group in Could.

Man Metropolis

Performed: 26

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Factors: 53

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Hardest recreation? Pep Guardiola’s facet should be near excellent earlier than internet hosting Arsenal, so the 2 video games that stand out are the away journeys to Leeds and Chelsea. Leeds are unbeaten at house this season when enjoying ‘beneath the lights’ at Elland Street, so a 5:30pm kick-off appears an actual check. Chelsea are unpredictable however have risen to the event at house this season and Cole Palmer is beginning to come into kind after an injury-hit marketing campaign.

A possible banana pores and skin? With Nottingham Forest searching for their third ‘new supervisor bounce’ of the season – after Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche fell flat – might Vitor Pereira repeat final season’s wonders at Wolves by turning their kind round and happening a successful run?

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Last straight? On paper, a lot more durable than Arsenal’s. Brentford and Bournemouth might be within the combine for European qualification over the ultimate weeks of the season and Metropolis should play them each of their ultimate three video games. Then, they host Aston Villa on the ultimate weekend of the season. Will Unai Emery’s facet have Champions League qualification wrapped up by then, or might they even be within the title race? Metropolis might do with hoping Villa get to the Europa League ultimate that midweek.

Verdict?

This shall be a run-in of two halves, with every thing constructing as much as the assembly between Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal in mid-April, after which every thing that follows. However Arsenal’s fixtures earlier than after which after going to the Etihad look extra beneficial than Metropolis’s, notably their ultimate stretch . An important issue for either side would be the different cup competitions and the way their squad depth holds up: they may also meet within the Carabao Cup ultimate on Sunday 22 March, and are each additionally by means of to the Champions League last-16 and FA Cup fifth spherical.