Premier League reaction as Manchester City beat Chelsea 3-0 to close the gap on leaders Arsenal - table & highlights
Pep Guardiola's side are now six points behind Arsenal but have a game-in-hand and the two sides play each other next Sunday at the Etihad
Guardiola: "It's important because we are six points behind them, if they beat us it's over, if we draw also"
Arsenal remain favourites for the title - Opta predicts they have a 86.98% chance of winning their first league title for 22 years
But it's been a difficult few weeks for Mikel Arteta's side, having lost in the EFL Cup final to City, the FA Cup to Southampton and lost 2-1 to Bournemouth on Saturday
Arsenal also have the extra strain of playing their Champions League quarter-final against Sporting on Wednesday, holding a 1-0 lead on aggregate
One thing which is arguably in Arsenal's favour is the run-in, writes Shamoon Hafez
Man City v Arsenal (Sun, 16:30 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesWhat a game we have in store on Sunday.
Second-placed Manchester City host Premier League leaders Arsenal.
City trail the Gunners by six points but have a game in hand.
Win, and they cut that lead to three points.
Lose or draw and Arsenal regain the upper hand.
The title is on the line...
Right, well Keith as a Liverpool fan wants the title to go to London.
Isn't it funny how football loyalties can see you rooting for the most unlikely of clubs?
There is no doubt that Sunday's huge Premier League showdown between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium will hold plenty of interest for football supporters of all sides, not just the two involved.
With that in mind, we are going to switch our focus now towards this weekend's game between the top-flight's top two...
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There's lots of talk about the stats, but City have only gained 1 point on Arsenal over the past 6 games... if Arsenal can avoid defeat at the weekend, I remain hopeful as a Liverpool fan that the title goes to London!!
Keith
Chelsea 0-3 Man City
It was not all good news for Pep Guardiola and Manchester at Stamford Bridge, though.
Nico O'Reilly pulled up holding his right hamstring just after the hour mark and was replaced by Rayan Ait Nouri.
The England defender had broken the deadlock six minutes after the break with a powerful header, his ninth goal of the season, following on from the two he scored in City's 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.
The extent of his injury is not yet clear, but any prolonged absence would be a blow to a City side already missing key defenders Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol and John Stones through injury.
O'Reilly's surging runs down the left, and into the box, have been a key part of City's upturn in form of late - Guardiola will hope the 21-year-old will make a quick recovery.
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Man City's game in hand gives Arsenal a big advantage, there was absolutely no reason why Arsenal played their game in hand before City. Both should have been played at the same time, this seems to happen a lot in title run ins. Almost as if it's done purposefully.
David
If Man City win the game in hand they are still 3 points behind. Don’t go and waste a whole season of work, head down and get back to the grind.
Stephen
Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport Man City reporter
Manchester City have hit form in the past three games, scoring nine goals against Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea without conceding, claiming the Carabao Cup and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals during that period.
The statistics show April is Guardiola's most fruitful month and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's worst - and the results from the two title rivals this weekend backed that up.
City have been the hunters before and are comfortable in that role - as Arsenal only know too well.
In 2022-23, the Gunners became the team to spend the most days (248) top of the Premier League without winning it.
They were five points clear after 32 games played that season, but City, with two games in hand, reeled them in.
Guardiola - and Arteta - have been here before.
Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport Man City reporter at Stamford Bridge
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City took full advantage of leaders Arsenal's slip-up with a statement victory at Chelsea on Sunday to ignite an enthralling Premier League title race.
Second-placed City scored three times in the second half at Stamford Bridge to cut Arsenal's lead to six points - with a game in hand - after the Gunners' shock home defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola's City had been sloppy during the first half, but the visitors started the second period with more purpose and broke the deadlock in the 51st minute when Rayan Cherki stood up a teasing cross which Nico O'Reilly powerfully headed in.
Frenchman Cherki was the provider again just six minutes later, feeding a pass through to former Chelsea player Marc Guehi, who caressed a low finish into the far corner to spark wild celebrations in front of the away end.
Chelsea were falling apart as Moises Caicedo was caught on the ball deep in his own half, allowing Jeremy Doku to break forward and finish with aplomb to seal the three points.
Chelsea 0-3 Man City
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester City boss Pep Guardiola spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live about Arsenal and the title race after watching his side win 3-0 at Chelsea on Sunday: "We have seven days. So prepare mentally. Beating Arsenal once is difficult, they proved that all season. So to beat them twice in a margin of three weeks is even more difficult. We play at home, it is a final. Relax and focus on what we need to do through that game. If you win or if you lose everybody knows.
"We have to talk about what we have to do against a team that defends well, wins duels, attacks also with the long balls, thousand million things that they do brilliantly this season that make them the best team in England - the numbers are there - and the best team in Europe - the numbers are there.
"We have incredible respect.
"I have three people in front of me here, did you bet £1 before the Carabao Cup final that we would win? No chance. You were all thinking Arsenal was going to win. We have to control that next Sunday."
The inference here is that, while Mikel Arteta has struggled to lead his side to silverware - Arsenal have won one FA Cup and two Community Shields in seven seasons under Arteta - his main rival and mentor, Pep Guardiola, has six Premier League titles among his list of honours at Manchester City.
And Guardiola's City side, once again, look to be coming to the boil at just the right time.
After beating Arsenal in the final of the Carabao Cup last month, the City manager now has a league meeting with the Gunners at Etihad Stadium in his sights...
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It’s painful for me being an Arsenal fan. The wheels have definitely come off and the title race was over for me long before Saturday. I wonder if I’d rather be a West Ham or Tottenham fan? Mikel Arteta doesn’t have what it takes to be a serial winner.
James
I believe if Arsenal don't win a trophy this season Arteta, the club captain and a few others should leave. The football is diabolical. It's an absolute bore to watch, time's up Mikel.
Dave
Arteta has had multiple lessons from Guardiola. He's never learned them. Arteta still thinks his 'default defensive system' is right, despite all the evidence. Saturday was a perfect example. Losing at home, Arsenal had 6 defensive players. Look at Manchester City second vs. first half. Guardiola can change games. Arteta can't.
Adrian
Arteta is not a winner. I don't know how many more times we need to go round the merry-go-round before people are willing to accept it. He was a mid-level player for Arsenal and Everton (never a worldie) and he's a mid-level manager.
Nolberto
Despite those comparisons to previous seasons, the stats do still show that Arsenal top the table with six games remaining.
The issue for some Arsenal fans this morning is that they are beginning to fear the worst, after seeing the Gunners finish second behind Liverpool last season, and runners-up to Manchester City the two seasons before that.
A large number of you this morning have been in touch with messages calling time on Mikel Arteta's spell as Arsenal manager [a selection of your messages are coming up next].
What do you think? Can Arteta and his players hold firm?
Take the poll at the top of this page...
Chris Collinson
BBC football statistician
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal's shock 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium means Mikel Arteta's side have picked up just 70 points from 32 games this season.
The last Premier League champions to have as few points with six games left to play were Leicester City on 69 points in 2015-16.
Only three teams in the last 22 seasons have had as few points at this stage of the season and went on to win the title - Manchester United in 2010-11 (69 points), Manchester City in 2013-14 (70 points) and Leicester City in 2015-16 (69 points).
The average points tally of an eventual champion after 32 games played, in a 38-game season, is 74 points.
Therefore, the Gunners are four points off the pace after Saturday's loss to the Cherries.
However, they still have more points at this stage than they did when they won top-flight titles in 1997-98 (66 points) and 2001-02 (69 points).
Just a reminder, in case you are just joining us, about the state of play in the Premier League title race.
Arsenal top the table and are six points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
The Gunners travel to City on Sunday...
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As a Man City fan I simply cannot wait for next Sunday’s game. There will be a party atmosphere at the stadium and Arsenal will crumble once they hear BLUE MOON!!
Amir
This has similarities to 2012. Man United comfortable and clear at the top, blew a 4-2 lead at home to Everton and then lost 1-0 in the title decider at the Etihad...over to Aguerooooo for the rest and Man City win on goal difference...repeat?
Danny
BBC 5 Live Breakfast
Image source, Getty ImagesPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke to 5 Live Breakfast on Arsenal's title run: "For Arsenal, we’re in a good position, it was a bit nervy, I was at the game at the weekend.
"The game against [Manchester] City next Sunday afternoon is going to be a massive game for both clubs.
"We’ve just got to recognise we are in a good position and go on with confidence but at the weekend we were a bit nervy, I have got to say, against Bournemouth."
Richard spoke about the "desperation in the stands" at Emirates Stadium.
One man who was there watching Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday was Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who has been telling BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast about that nervous feeling...
Image source, Getty ImagesFrom one former Manchester United player to another - Wayne Rooney, on his BBC Sport podcast, says Manchester City "will have the edge" psychologically in the Premier League title race.
He said City "know how to win the title" and "have a manager who knows how to do it".
"I think City will have the edge on that, just purely the manager and players they've got. They will be able to stay a little calmer than the Arsenal players," said the former England captain on The Wayne Roonery Show.
"They will be worried because when you go on a run and lose a few games, you start thinking 'where's the next goal, the next win going to come from?' That negative mindset really has an impact on your performance."
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It’s become extremely tense and the mood at the Emirates in the stands is transferring to the players. No doubt they play better away from home without the weight of desperation trickling down from the stands.
Richard
Image source, Getty Images"Arenal can win the title next weekend at the Etihad," said Gary Neville on his podcast.
"Maybe I've got more faith in Arsenal than Arsenal have got in themselves, but when you are in a title race, you're six games out and you've lost a football match, you've got to put it into perspective.
"I have thought for a number of years with this Arsenal team that they've got to go and win a game that shakes the world. They've got to go to City next week and win."
That's the carrot for Arsenal, but Neville warns, as if he needed to, that it won't be easy.
"Did they really ever expect that they were going to be handed their first title on a plate by Pep Guardiola and this Manchester City team, or by the Premier League? It doesn't happen like that," added the former Manchester United defender.
"You don't win your first title by running away with it by 26 points - it just doesn't happen. That's not reality. It's always going to be a struggle, and there's probably been a couple of bad experiences in the previous seasons in getting to this point.
"So everything that's happened to them, if they can normalise it and feel that 'this is what we would have expected, no one was just going to hand it to us on a plate and we were going to basically sail over the line and do a victory lap. It's not going to work like that, and this is what it should be'.
"That's what Arsenal have got to believe this week."
"It's a big week - a lot at stake," says Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
He's not wrong:
Two defeats and the world will feel like it's closing in on Arsenal.
Two wins - or even a win and a draw - and a huge weight will be lifted.
There is no question, this week will be pivotal, one way or another.
And guess what, here's Gary Neville again with some words of encouragement for Arsenal...
Yes, encouragement...
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 21 | 7 | 4 | 62 | 24 | 38 | 70 |
| |
| 31 | 19 | 7 | 5 | 63 | 28 | 35 | 64 |
| |
| 31 | 15 | 10 | 6 | 56 | 43 | 13 | 55 |
| |
| 32 | 16 | 7 | 9 | 43 | 38 | 5 | 55 |
| |
| 32 | 15 | 7 | 10 | 52 | 42 | 10 | 52 |
| |
| 32 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 53 | 41 | 12 | 48 |
| |
| 32 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 48 | 44 | 4 | 47 |
| |
| 32 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 39 | 37 | 2 | 47 |
| |
| 32 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 43 | 37 | 6 | 46 |
| |
| 32 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 33 | 36 | -3 | 46 |
| |
| 32 | 10 | 15 | 7 | 48 | 49 | -1 | 45 |
| |
| 32 | 13 | 5 | 14 | 43 | 46 | -3 | 44 |
| |
| 31 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 35 | 36 | -1 | 42 |
| |
| 32 | 12 | 6 | 14 | 45 | 47 | -2 | 42 |
| |
| 31 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 37 | 48 | -11 | 33 |
| |
| 32 | 8 | 9 | 15 | 32 | 44 | -12 | 33 |
| |
| 32 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 40 | 57 | -17 | 32 |
| |
| 32 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 40 | 51 | -11 | 30 |
| |
| 32 | 4 | 8 | 20 | 33 | 63 | -30 | 20 |
| |
| 32 | 3 | 8 | 21 | 24 | 58 | -34 | 17 |
|
