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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

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

Two-horse race: Arsenal and Man City are battling to be crowned Premier League champions - (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

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

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, Nico O’Reilly, Phil Foden and Rodri believe claiming the first trophy of the season has provided a much needed boost.

“The blood never went - we've always smelt blood. We're confident in ourselves, we know we can do it,” O’Reilly told CBS Sports.

“They've got to come to our place which is a tough place to come to as everyone has seen this season. So we do smell blood and we've got to keep going.

“It does a lot for us, (we can) build momentum and just push on now. Obviously it's a big blow for them. They were going for everything.”

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.

Winning feeling: Man City (Action Images via Reuters)

Chelsea (A)

Arsenal (H)

Burnley (A)

Everton (A)

Brentford (H)

Crystal Palace (H) - TBA

Bournemouth (A)

Aston Villa (H)

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