Less than a month ago, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were eyeing up a historic quadruple. But after losing the EFL Cup final to Manchester City and suffering a shock defeat against Southampton in the FA Cup, there are now just two trophies left on the table for the Gunners. But after the north London side went down 2-1 at home against Bournemouth on Saturday in the Premier League, most Arsenal fans would be happy enough if their side managed to win a single piece of silverware this term. That’s especially the case given how well Manchester City have been performing of late.
Pep Guardiola’s City put in a dominant performance on Sunday as they brushed Chelsea aside to win 3-0 at Stamford Bridge. That result came hot on the heels of City’s 4-0 drubbing of current Premier League champions Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter final. And suddenly, with City flying and Arsenal stuttering badly, there’s a distinct possibility that Pep’s men could complete a domestic treble of the Premier League, the FA Cup and the (already-won) League Cup. Just to add a little spice to the ongoing footballing drama, there’s a rather tasty-looking fixture coming up on Sunday in the Premier League: Manchester City versus Arsenal.
Man City v Arsenal: The Title Decider?
There’s no doubt plenty is riding on the match between the title rivals on Sunday at the Etihad. If City win, and they win their game in hand on Arsenal, they will be level on points with the Gunners. Crucially, they will also have dealt a massive blow to the London club’s already seemingly rather fluctuating levels of confidence. Given how well the Cityzens have been playing recently, dispatching Liverpool in the FA Cup and Chelsea in the league with the minimum of fuss, Pep’s side must be eager to get stuck into an Arsenal side that has looked unimaginative and frail of late.
Despite City’s recent win in the League Cup final, however, it ought to be noted that Arsenal have an excellent recent league record against City. The north Londoners have won two and drawn the other four of their last six against Pep’s team in the Premier League. Indeed, Arteta would be happy enough with a point at the Etihad to at least maintain the advantage in the title race. But if City get the victory, there’s a sense Arsenal could capitulate in what would be a humiliating end to the campaign (unless, of course, they won the Champions League, but that is easier said than done).
Easier Run-in Could Save Arsenal’s Season
Aside from the away match at City, Arsenal have landed a relatively kind set of fixtures for the Premier League run-in:
| Date | Team | Current Pos. | Home or Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 April | Newcastle United | 14th | Home |
| 2 May | Fulham | 12th | Home |
| 10 May | West Ham United | 17th | Away |
| 17 May | Burnley | 19th | Home |
| 24 May | Crystal Palace | 13th | Away |
The average league position of Arsenal’s opponents (at the time of writing) is 15th, and three of their five games (after the City match) are at home. In contrast, City have a somewhat trickier-looking run-in:
| Date | Team | Current Pos. | Home or Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 April | Burnley | 19th | Away |
| 4 May | Everton | 8th | Away |
| 9 May | Brentford | 7th | Home |
| 17 May | Bournemouth | 11th | Away |
| 24 May | Aston Villa | 4th | Home |
| tbc | Crystal Palace | 13th | Away |
With four away days and just two at home, City’s opponents have an average league position of 10th (10.33, to be precise). If the Manchester side manages to get the three points on Sunday, however, they will be brimming with belief, and few would bet against them landing the title once again. But could they complete the domestic treble by adding the FA Cup to their extensive trophy collection too?
FA Cup: City’s for the Taking?
Unlike the Premier League, for which the bookies still have Arsenal as the favourites for success, Man City are the odds-on favourites to land this season’s FA Cup. That’s largely because they have been handed the easiest semi-final draw, in the shape of Championship side Southampton. But as Arsenal discovered in the quarters, if you underestimate the second-tier side, you’re liable to get stung. Realistically, with City enjoying fine form of late, we can’t see them slipping up against the Saints.
The other semi features Leeds United against Chelsea, and Man City showed how easily they can deal with the Blues just the other day. If Leeds make it past Chelsea to set up a Wembley showdown with Man City, most fans and pundits would expect Pep’s side to prevail. After all, City have beaten Leeds in each of their last six matches against them. Of course, anything can happen in a one-off match, but everything would have to go the way of the West Yorkshire side for them to taste glory, and we think Pep is just too good to let his troops slip at that hurdle. They have to get past Southampton first, of course, but if they do, they won’t fear either Chelsea or Leeds in the final.
Time will tell whether City can do enough to win the domestic treble… or whether Arsenal get themselves together and end up with one or two trophies themselves. One thing’s for sure, the match at the Etihad on Sunday will play a significant part in proceedings.