There is no grand final in the Premier League but this is as close as you can get.
Despite there still being a month to go in the season, Arsenal’s trip to Manchester to face Pep Guardiola’s looms as a veritable title decider.
Arsenal’s mid-week progress to the UEFA Champions League semis, with a 0-0 draw at home to Sporting, halted what had been a stalling in momentum for the league leaders, who have been in top spot since September. Meanwhile, City’s heading in the opposite direction, beating Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in their last three games in all competitions.
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They visit the Etihad with a six point buffer on the fast finishing City side, but Guardiola’s side have a game in hand three days later against Burnley as well.
Gallingly for Arsenal fans, City could be top with two wins in the next week, with five games to play.
With six titles in the past eight seasons, know all too well how to handle this end of the campaign as the Gunners bid for a first league title since 2004.
Their previous meeting in the league this season was a 1-1 draw at the Emirates, but more recently, a Nico O’Reilly brace helped City to silverware in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
It is such a significant game.
Win, and Arsenal go nine points clear – although City have only lost once at home all season.
“If we lose, it’s over,” Guardiola said.
“They are so strong in all departments. Duals, physicality, if you allow them to make a good process by not being aggressive they make a good build-up.
“That’s why they are who they are. Top of the Premier League all season and that’s why I’m proud to be there and challenging them.”
While a draw would be a favourable result for Arsenal too, it isn’t a scenario Arteta would talk about.
“I’m not going to spend one second talking about that \[playing for a draw\]. We prepare every game to win, that’s why we are where we are and we’re going to continue to do the same,” he said.
“We have earned the right to be in this position, to be challenging and with the possibility to win and the opportunity to win on Sunday, arguably against the best team and the best manager that this league has ever seen.
“That’s a huge privilege, and we can’t wait to play the game, and we’re going to prepare the game to win it, that’s for sure, and we see that as a big opportunity for us.”
With Bukayo Saka out and Noni Maduek in doubt, as well as Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard, this is the stage for Eberechi Eze to step up, while it also pits a heavyweight clash up front between Erling Haaland and Victor Gyokeres.
Meanwhile, City are weakened at the back with Ruben Dias, John Stones and Josko Gvardiol.
**Date:** Monday 20 April AEST.
**Kick-off:** 1.30am AEST
**Venue:** Etihad Stadium, Manchester
**Broadcast:** Stan Sport
**The runs home:**
**Arsenal**: City (a), Newcastle (h) Fulham (h), West Ham (a), Burnley (h), Crystal Palace (a)
**City**: Arsenal (h), Burnley (a), Everton (a), Brentford (h), Bournemouth (a), Crystal Palace (h), Aston Villa (h)