This weekend could prove to be a pivotal one with regard to the Premier League title race as Arsenal will discover how much a Champions League semi-final clash has taken out of Manchester City.
A run of four games without a win last month means the Gunners are no longer in control of their own destiny. Even if they win their remaining three fixtures - against Brighton & Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest and Wolves - to finish on 90 points, it may not be enough to be crowned champions.
This is because City can get to 94 points should their winning run extend four more games and as a result, Arsenal need their title rivals to drop at least five points - across games against Everton, Chelsea, Brighton and Brentford - in order to overtake them before the end of the season.
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Sure, given the form the league leaders are currently in, the idea of them losing once and drawing once seems unlikely but Sunday's trip to Goodison Park to face an Everton team who equally need the points in their battle against relegation is potentially a game where Pep Guardiola's side can come unstuck.
When factoring in City's Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid which is finely poised at 1-1 heading into the second leg next Wednesday and with it almost being certain that the Spaniard will make changes to his starting XI, could Sean Dyche, Alex Iwobi and company cause a major twist in the title race?
Well, if the Toffees are to take points off the Cityzens then Arsenal need to make sure they take advantage against Brighton a few hours later. It won't be easy especially as Roberto De Zerbi has warned his side are ready to respond after suffering a 5-1 home defeat on Monday.
"I spoke with them [the players] as I do after every game," the Italian said after the loss against Everton. "It can happen to lose this type of game. If you attack you can concede more goals. I think on Sunday we will show our quality, we will get back to our style and you will see the true Brighton."
So, with the potential of a huge weekend on the cards in the Premier League title race, football.london has taken a look at what would be the best and worst-case scenarios for Arsenal as there's a chance to reclaim top spot at around 6.30pm on Sunday.
Best case scenario
Everton vs Manchester City - HOME WIN/DRAW
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion - HOME WIN
Playing after the Everton vs Man City game could be a blessing or a curse for Arsenal as they'll be responding to whatever the result is and that comes with its own added pressure. If the final whistle blows at Goodison Park and the visitors have not claimed all three points then one can only imagine what that would do to Mikel Arteta's team talk.
And in this scenario, if the Gunners are able to beat Brighton then they will return to the top of the table, albeit having played a game more, and have the chance to open up a gap next weekend as they face Nottingham Forest away from home before City host Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.
Worst-case scenario
Everton vs Manchester City - AWAY WIN
Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion - DRAW/AWAY WIN
As Everton away is perhaps one fixture that has all the ingredients for City to drop points in, if Guardiola's side emerge victorious and Arsenal then fail to beat Brighton then, whilst it won't be decisive in the Premier League title race, the air of inevitability will only increase.
Not winning against the Seagulls would leave the Gunners on either 81 or 82 points with a defeat or draw respectively, thus they can only finish the season on either 86 or 87 points. Victory for Man City at Goodison Park puts them on 85 therefore they would be crowned champions as early as next weekend with a win over Chelsea.
In fact, there is a scenario that sees the title race concluded before the aforementioned game at the Etihad. That's if City beat Everton and Arsenal lose their next two games as they would only be able to reach 84 points.
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