Manchester City are locked in a Premier League title race with Arsenal heading into the final month of the season, and the congested fixture schedule late on is set to make things very interesting
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are in a battle with Arsenal for the Premier League title.
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are in a battle with Arsenal for the Premier League title.(Image: PA Wire)
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Manchester City know there's a 15-day period that is set to define their Premier League title credentials in the final month of the season. Arsenal's win over Newcastle United at the weekend saw the Gunners reclaim top spot.
A goal from Eberechi Eze saw Arsenal pick up an important three points, but City now have a game in hand due to their FA Cup endeavours at the weekend. Pep Guardiola's men defeated Championship side Southampton under the Wembley Arch to set up an FA Cup final clash with Chelsea.
The two top-flight teams will meet at Wembley on May 16, in what could be a crucial run of games for City. Arsenal are still in the Champions League, which could be a welcome distraction for a City perspective.
Guardiola's side have just six games left to play, while Arteta's team could have seven games. The Gunners are back in Premier League action at the weekend when they take on Fulham, but City will have a few more days rest before they take on Everton.
Things really start to ramp up after the first weekend in May. Guardiola's team host Brentford on May 9th, and will have to play five games in the space of 15 days if you include that clash against the Bees.
City had offered to travel to Bournemouth three days three days before the final day of the Premier League season but that was rejected as part of five different proposals to solve their fixture mess. The club are understood to be unhappy about two long away days in the space of four days.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Declan Rice o Arsenal in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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For Arsenal, they'll have just three top-flight games to play in the same timeframe, but could also have a Champions League Final on the horizon if they come through a two-legged affair with Atletico Madrid in the next fortnight.
Here, the Manchester Evening News takes a closer look at the run in between now and the end of the season for both City and Arsenal.
Arsenal's schedule in full:
29/04 - Atletico (A) - Champions League semi-final first leg.
02/05 - Fulham (H) - Premier League.
05/05 - Atletico (H) - Champions League semi-final second leg.
10/05 - West Ham (A) - Premier League.
18/05 - Burnley (H) - Premier League.
24/05 - Crystal Palace (A) - Premier League.
30/05 - Potential Champions League final - TBC.
Manchester City's schedule in full:
04/05 - Everton (A) - Premier League.
09/05 - Brentford (H) - Premier League.
13/05 - Crystal Palace (H) - Premier League.
16/05 - Chelsea (N) - FA Cup final.
19/05 - Bournemouth (A) - Premier League.
24/05 - Aston Villa (H) - Premier League.