Arsenal have been warned that Manchester City can still win the title this season despite missing out on the chance to close to gap to two points on Sunday. Mikel Arteta may have feared that the seemingly inevitable squeeze from his ex-employers would start after the 1-0 loss to Everton on Saturday afternoon.
No such response came though with Pep Guardiola's men only able to fall foul to Tottenham in a 1-0 defeat of their own. It means that things are as they were at the top; a five point gap with a game in hand for Arsenal.
The two sides still have to come face-to-face twice this season though and the outcome of those matches is still in a position by which it could decide the title. City wins could put them within two points of Arsenal - or even above them should Arteta fail to win the game in hand - whilst a set of Arsenal victories would see them streaking clear.
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It has set up the battles to be of immense intrigue, emphasising the master vs apprentice style relationship between Guardiola and Arteta. Meanwhile there is still a game to play before City's trip to north London can be fully in the minds of fans, with Brentford next up for the Gunners.
City themselves have one game to play before the top of the table clash, welcoming Aston Villa to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Anything but a win could prove costly though according to former defender Joleon Lescott. “When you lose a game you want to play as soon as possible,” he told City's website.
“It’s not a bad fixture for us at home as a club, especially after last season and what that did for winning the title. There’s an opportunity to get back on to it and it’s key now that Arsenal are the next team to drop points. I don’t think we can afford to drop any more points before then.”
Arsenal will have the chance to put effective scoreboard pressure on their rivals, playing at 3pm on Saturday. By the time City kick off they could be eight points behind and staring at the reality of being too far behind. It will also be interesting to see how City respond following charges that have been placed upon them by the Premier League in regards to alleged breaches of financial rules.
The numerous alleged breaches have added even more pressure on Guardiola and the club as potential punishments including league expulsion and costly points deductions circulate. For now though, it is one game at a time for both teams before the huge meeting next Wednesday.
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