Matchday 29 of the Premier League had an unexpected turn and the difference at the top widened. Both Arsenal and Manchester City held their own last weekend by claiming hard-fought wins, but the same couldn’t be said in midweek. While the Gunners came from behind to claim a crucial win over Brighton, their title rivals stumbled against relegation contenders Nottingham Forest.
This article was originally published in SI FC.
Elliot Anderson, considered a target for Manchester City this summer, scored the decisive equalizer for Forest during their 2-2 draw against Pep Guardiola’s side, allowing Arsenal to open up a seven-point lead over their pursuers, although they have played one more game than the Cityzens.
Due to both teams’ participation in the Carabao Cup final later this month, Arsenal and Manchester City have only one Premier League match left before the March international break. However, both will be busy in other games, playing this match alongside matches in the Champions League and FA Cup.
Arsenal have a tough game against Everton on March 14, with the Toffees having picked up more points away from home than at their new stadium this season. City, for their part, have an easier game in theory, visiting West Ham United that same day, an opponent they have beaten seven consecutive times.
Two of Arsenal’s three Premier League games in April will be played at their own stadium, with Bournemouth and Newcastle United promising to cause problems for the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium. Instead, two of City’s three league games next month will be played away from home, with the visit to Chelsea much more formidable than the trip to Burnley.
Between these two matches, Arsenal and City have the important one. The Gunners will travel to Manchester for a hugely consequential title fight at the Etihad Stadium, where the winner could secure the crucial lead down the stretch. An exciting duel promises fireworks.
Arsenal opens May with a London derby against Fulham, also played at home, but against whom they have lost points in three of the last four campaigns. City face Everton that same weekend, in their first visit to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The next five games of each
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1st Arsenal – 67 points |
2nd Manchester City – 60 points |
|---|---|
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Everton – Home – March 14 |
West Ham – Away – March 14 |
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Bournemouth – Local – April 11 |
Chelsea – Away – April 12 |
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Manchester City – Away – April 19 |
Arsenal – Home – April 19 |
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Newcastle – Venue – April 25 |
Burnley – Away – April 26 |
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Fulham – Home – May 2 |
Everton – Away – May 2 |
