Arsenal and Manchester City look set for a title clash for the ages as the two continue to duel it out at the top of the Premier League table. The Gunners have led the race for the majority of the season and while they sit six points clear of their rivals, the title remains in both teams hands.
The Cityzens have a game in hand at this stage, allowing them the opportunity to close the gap to just three points, while a head-to-head later this month could see them take the lead once again. For the mean time though, all focus is on the what Mikel Arteta and his team can control leading up to the final run-in.
"You go day by day honestly," the Spaniard replied when asked if he envisioned a title race at the start of the campaign. "There is so much that happens in a month in football that you cannot really look. Obviously the aim was to take this football club back where it belongs and that’s fighting and being around every single trophy possible. That’s what we’re trying to do."
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There have been many key contributors to the side's success heading into the final eight games of the season, but former star Robert Pires has singled out four of them in a chat with MyBettingSites.co.uk. He said: "I really like the Ramsdale-Gabriel Magalhaes-Xhaka-Saka axis. They complement each other very well and have fun playing together."
There have been plenty of comparisons between the current team and the Invincibles team that Pires was part of all those years ago. On the current players being compared, he added: "“It’s always difficult to compare two completely different eras. We were more experienced then than the squad brings now. And there are fewer Frenchmen than back then (laughs).”
While those four stars have been key, it will take a full squad effort to get the team over the line by late May against a City team that appear to have hit top gear. While that is the case, the Gunners may have the added boost of not competing in anymore competitions.
Pires continued: "Now we have to deliver in this final spurt of the season. It will be anything but easy to stay on top until the end because the pressure will be immense and Manchester City are more experienced to handle the pressure. Nevertheless, I think Arsenal have a good chance of defending their lead until the end, also because City will put everything on the line to finally win the Champions League.”
That inclusion in the Champions League, as well as the FA Cup, could be the boost that the Gunners need as full focus is ahead on winning every remaining Premier League fixture.
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