Manchester City have edged another step closer to lifting their third successive Premier League as Arsenal faltered in defeat to Brighton.
Mikel Arteta’s men spent the majority of the season at the top of the table but most likely will miss out on first place after dropping 12 points from 24 points available since April.
The capitulation started at Anfield thanks to Liverpool’s resilient comeback from 2-0 down to take a point. Draws to West Ham and bottom of the league Southampton followed as Arteta attempted to manage life without the injured William Saliba.
The red side of North London have leaked 17 goals since the defender’s back injury, creeping up on the tally of 25 conceded in the league with the Frenchman playing.
And in typical fashion City tracked down first place and overtook as Liverpool fans know all too well. Ilkay Gundogan as usual has entered his impeccable late-season form, scoring four and assisting one in the last two league games adding pressure on to Arsenal’s shoulders – a weight their legs have buckled under in attempt to claim glory as they did in 19 years ago.
City have looked near-flawless with more gears than a Formula One car as they drive with a motivation to complete a treble and cement themselves as arguably one of the greatest teams in European football history, not just the English top flight.
Remaining fixtures
Man City’s fixtures
- May 17 – Real Madrid (Home) – Champions League, 8pm
- May 21 – Chelsea (Home) – Premier League, 4pm
- May 24 – Brighton (Away) – Premier League, 8pm
- May 28 – Brentford (Away) – Premier League, 4.30pm
- June 3 – Manchester United (Wembley) – FA Cup final, 3pm
Arsenal’s fixtures
- May 20 – Nottingham Forest (Away) – Premier League, 5.30pm
- May 28 – Wolves (Home) – Premier League, 4.30pm
Pep Guardiola’s side, following a 3-0 win at Goodison Park, lead the league by four points and could lift the Premier League trophy as soon as Sunday versus Chelsea – even if Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Earlier it was feared that this season would be decided by goal difference, but after a few too many negative results Arsenal have 81 points and trail City by four with one more game played.
If Arsenal draw against Forest, City only need a point to secure the title to match and equal Manchester United’s record of a third successive title.
Hope is all but gone for fans in North London. For a historic comeback Arsenal must win their two remaining fixtures and pray that City do not take more than a point from their last three matches.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/CZ6lQP2
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