Manchester City midfielder Rodri has said that Arsenal could still drop points in the final two games of the Premier League season.
The Gunners are currently top of the table after 36 matches with 79 points, two ahead of Man City.
They have a home game against Burnley on Monday night, while Man City face a tricky trip to Bournemouth 24 hours later.
Arsenal will be away to Crystal Palace on the final match day (May 24th), while the Cityzens will host Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.
Ahead of those games, Rodri has sent a stern message to the Gunners that Man City are right on their tail and can’t afford to drop points.
Speaking after the FA Cup final win against Chelsea at Wembley, Rodri said the Gunners can drop points in either the next or the last game.
He told reporters (via Hayters TV): “Everything can happen, it’s just we need them [Arsenal] to drop points, it can happen in the next game or in the last game. But if I was in their position it is not easy to finish the task. We have to be there pushing until the end.”
When asked whether he really believes Mikel Arteta’s side could fumble, Rodri drew on his experience from the 2022/23 season and highlighted how Villa gave them a tough time in the season finale.
He added: “I mean, from our experience, we were losing the title against Aston Villa at our home in minute 80 [in 2022/23]. So everything can happen in football. We know how difficult it is to close things, and we know how difficult it is to beat everyone in this Premier League.”
Arsenal have their title destiny in their own hands after Man City dropped points at Everton with a thrilling 3-3 draw. The Gunners almost suffered a similar fate at West Ham United. Calum Wilson’s late goal was rightfully chalked off by VAR after a foul on David Raya in the lead-up.
With that result (1-0), the club are just two wins away from a long-awaited title. On paper, they are heavy favourites to beat Burnley. Palace could rotate heavily in the final game, given that the Eagles have a huge Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig three days later.
Still, Arsenal can’t afford complacency and should ignore outside noise. They must get the job done against Burnley before the London derby at Selhurst Park. A victory over the Clarets tomorrow could pile pressure on the Cityzens, who will then have to beat the Cherries to stay in the title race.
Bournemouth are on a sublime 16-match unbeaten league run and are just four points adrift of the final Champions League spot with a game in hand. The South Coast outfit have everything to play for and will also be determined to secure a good result in Andoni Iraola’s final home game in charge.
Stats from Transfermarkt