London, April 24: The Premier League title race heads into another decisive weekend with Arsenal given a golden chance to reclaim top spot, while Manchester City momentarily shift their attention to the FA Cup and the relegation scrap involving Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United intensifies.
With just five matches left in the season, Arsenal and Manchester City are locked on 70 points each, with both sides also sharing an identical goal difference of plus 37. However, City currently sit at the summit due to having scored three more goals than the Gunners, giving Pep Guardiola’s side a slender but significant edge in one of the closest title races in recent years.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal had once looked firmly in control of the championship race after opening up a commanding nine-point lead, but that advantage has disappeared rapidly, especially following last weekend’s damaging 2-1 defeat to City at the Etihad Stadium. That loss handed the momentum to the defending champions, who are now leading the table for the first time since August.
This weekend, however, presents Arsenal with an immediate opportunity to respond. With City occupied by their FA Cup semi-final clash against Southampton, Arsenal can climb back to the top of the standings with either a win or even a draw at home against Newcastle United.The scheduling could further work in Arsenal’s favour next week as they play before City once again, meaning Arteta’s side could potentially establish a six-point cushion before City take on Everton on May 4. Despite their recent wobble, Arsenal arguably have the kinder run-in on paper and know that maintaining pressure on City is their only realistic path to ending their long wait for a Premier League title.
Still, history is firmly on City’s side. Guardiola’s men have never failed to go on and win the league after leading the table beyond the 33-game mark, and their experience of handling title pressure makes them favourites once again. Arsenal, often labelled perennial runners-up in recent seasons, must now prove they can handle the mental challenge of the run-in. At the other end of the table, the relegation battle remains equally dramatic, with only one demotion place still undecided after Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley were confirmed for relegation this week.
Tottenham find themselves in serious danger of joining them. Spurs, currently 18th in the table, are two points away from safety and face a must-win trip to already relegated Wolves on Saturday. Failure to survive would see the North London club drop out of the top flight for the first time in nearly five decades.Now under the management of Roberto De Zerbi, Tottenham are still searching for their first league win since December and their fragile confidence was exposed again after conceding a late equaliser in last weekend’s frustrating draw against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The club’s concerns over mentality were further highlighted this week when Tottenham advertised for a lead psychologist, reflecting De Zerbi’s focus on improving the squad’s mindset during the survival battle.
“I have no time to see negative people, to see sad players or sad assistants,” the Italian said after the Brighton game, underlining his determination to keep the dressing room mentally strong during the final stretch.(Agencies)
Bukayo Saka set to return for Arsenal
London, April 24: Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is set to return after a month out injured for the Premier League title contender’s home match against Newcastle on Saturday.
The England international has missed Arsenal’s last five matches – containing three losses – because of an Achilles injury.Arsenal is looking to bounce back from two straight league defeats – to Bournemouth and Man City – and from losing top spot to City. (AP)
