Key Takeaways
- Manchester City’s 4-1 win over Arsenal puts them three points behind with a match in hand.
- City will leapfrog the Gunners at the summit if they defeat Burnley on Wednesday.
- Players and experts agree the momentum has swung to the Etihad, but five rounds remain.
Manchester City now steer the title chase after sweeping aside league leaders Arsenal 4-1 at the Etihad on Sunday night.
Pep Guardiola’s side sit three points adrift of the Gunners and own a spare fixture. Victory at Turf Moor in mid-week would lift the champions to the top with only five match-days left.
Guardiola warned against complacency. “We can keep dreaming, but nothing is finished,” he said. “Arsenal are still first. In three days we face Burnley, a side that fights for every ball.”
Mikel Arteta admitted the loss hurts. “We missed a big chance,” the Spaniard confessed. “Yet the race is open. We have shown we can outperform anyone.”
Captain Martin Ødegaard echoed his manager. “Wednesday starts a new final. We reset, recover and go again.”
Sky Sports panelists see City as favourites. Gary Neville, an eight-time winner with Manchester United, believes the ribbons on the trophy will be sky-blue come May. “City know how to cross the line,” he noted.
Patrick Vieira, who skippered Arsenal during their last championship season, questioned the visitors’ nerve. “Winning teams think only about the next moment. Today City did that better.”
Roy Keane added: “The pressure sits perfectly with City. They have handled these run-ins for a decade.”
Micah Richards, a former City defender, was blunter. “I told friends weeks ago: win this head-to-head and City keep the crown. That view has not changed.”
Wednesday’s trip to Burnley now carries championship weight. Anything less than three points would reopen the door for Arsenal, who host Chelsea next.