The Premier League title race continued to produce the best out of Arsenal and Manchester City over the weekend. Both teams earned three valuable points against Newcastle and Leeds despite being at their best.
Mikel Arteta's men overcame their Tyneside demons from last season with a rather comfortable 2-0 win to move only one point behind the holders.
Arsenal now only have three games left, compared to Man City's seven. The Citizens are still in the hat to win Europe's prestigious competition with a semi-final date with Real Madrid and will meet Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Saturday June 3.
READ MORE: Arsenal's final three fixtures compared to Man City as Newcastle win keeps title hopes alive
In most cases, the hectic scheduling would be too much for teams to handle. Yet many have backed Pep Guardiola's side to go the distance and record a historic treble.
After winning 15 of their last 16 games, City are in red-hot form and come into Tuesday's trip to the Bernabeu full of confidence. However, last season's extra-time heartbreak at the same stage of the Champions League will be at the back of their minds.
This time, City have Erling Haaland and are on a different level. However, Guardiola will be sweating on the fitness of Nathan Ake. The defender had only just returned from a hamstring injury before being subbed off early in the second half in their win over Leeds.
The Netherlands international lasted beyond the hour mark after clutching his hamstring. After being replaced by Kyle Walker, Ake headed straight down the tunnel. After the game, Guardiola was quizzed on the Dutchman, he said: "I didn't speak with the doctor but apparently if he asked to, you know... we will see in the next days."
Apart from Ake, Guardiola has a clean bill of health and will have a number of options for the first leg against Real Madrid.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal tipped to seal four transfers as Stan Kroenke sent clear instruction
Rice starts, Ramos leads, Xhaka replacement: Arsenal's dream XI for 2023/24 with four transfers
Arsenal and Chelsea receive transfer boost as club confirm £30m deal
Stan Kroenke stance on stunning $111m Arsenal transfer revealed
Latest Arsenal injury news as four miss Newcastle after Gabriel Magalhaes update
