Arsenal were unable to open up a ten-point gap to Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table after they were held to a goalless draw by Newcastle United on Tuesday. Pep Guardiola's side can therefore close the margin to five points if they beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tonight (Thursday).
The stalemate at Emirates Stadium was the first time Arsenal have not secured maximum points in a home game this season and in another first, the Gunners failed to find the back of the net after scoring in every other Premier League game this campaign.
With Eddie Howe's side as the nearest challengers, minus Man City, to Arsenal, on the whole it should not be considered a bad result for Mikel Arteta's men and with 21 games still left to play, there will likely be even more twists and turns in the title race.
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City endured one of those twists on New Year's Eve when they were surprisingly held at home to Everton, which gave the Gunners the opportunity to open up a bigger gap. With that not being taken, a City win this evening in west London would mean the last two weeks of results for both teams, simply cancel each other out.
Arteta will understandably be disappointed as Arsenal's domination in the fixture should have resulted in three points, but former Arsenal defender William Gallas insists it is a good result for the Gunners and it shows they are 'ready' for the Premier League title.
Speaking to Genting Casino, he said: "I was happy with Arsenal because of the reaction of the players. They were a unit, fighting for every ball even if it was not easy. They didn't give up, they were fighting during the 90 minutes.
"If it was the same game last season against Newcastle, I think Arsenal would have lost that game. So that means that they are ready for the title, that shows you they got character."
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