Premier League: Manchester City confident as Arsenal stumble
Manchester City have begun to loom large in Arsenal’s rearview mirror, and on Wednesday, the defending champions will have the opportunity to begin their pursuit of a fifth Premier League title in six years.
A game that has been on Arsenal’s schedule for months as a potential title-decider is now a must-win for the club, whose grip on the top spot is slipping.
Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium, City manager Pep Guardiola encouraged supporters to increase the volume.
“It is a final against the team that has been the best in England so far and is five points ahead of us,” Guardiola told reporters.
“I am aware that despite the fact that they have drawn their last three games, it is difficult to stop them for large portions of the game due to the manner they play… It’s a huge, crucial contest for us.
We are aware that victory will move us closer to having complete control over the situation.
“The Premier League is eleven months of work, work, work. Moreover, we wish to seize this opportunity. We cannot do it alone. Hopefully, the Etihad Stadium will be completely sold out three hours prior to kickoff.”
While City, who are pursuing a treble, have been racking up victories as they typically do in the final weeks of the season, Arsenal’s young pretenders have been struck by vertigo.
They could have traveled to City with a double-digit points advantage, but after surrendering 2-0 leads in consecutive away games to draw 2-2 at Liverpool and West Ham United, they were held to a frantic 3-3 draw by bottom club Southampton last Friday.
Arsenal has a five-point lead with six games remaining, but City has two games in hand and appears unstoppable after collecting 25 of the last 27 available points.
Tottenham Hotspur fired interim coach Cristian Stellini on Monday following a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Newcastle United, which jeopardized their prospects of finishing in the top four.
Premier League: Manchester City confident as Arsenal stumble