This weekend is almost the last chance for Arsenal and Liverpool to overthrow Manchester City in the Premier League championship race. By the time Pep Guardiola’s team returns to play, Arsenal and Liverpool could create a four-point gap. At that time, although they still had the right to self-determination, the challenge for The Citizens was extremely great.
The sight of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne limping off the field and the tired look on Guardiola’s face raised questions about Man City’s ability to recover. Losing to Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Champions League in a penalty shootout was a heavy blow to The Citizens. In theory, Man City did not lose (draw 120 minutes against Real) but the atmosphere of invincibility was lost.
This season’s title race will be shaped by what happens over the weekend. The FA Cup semi-final between Man City and Chelsea gives Arsenal and Liverpool a great opportunity to reclaim the top spot. But although Man City’s confidence will be dented after defeat to Real, Arsenal and Liverpool must also pick themselves up.
Arsenal faces Wolves having lost their last two matches without being able to score, against Aston Villa in the Premier League and Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Meanwhile, Liverpool only won 1 point in the last 2 matches in the domestic tournament. Being eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Europa League against Atalanta also depleted confidence in Anfield.
Currently, Arsenal and Liverpool are both 2 points behind Man City’s top position. They need to win this weekend to put pressure on the defending champions.
As for the “Gunners”, they must overcome the tendency to decline at the end of the season. Last season, The Gunners only won 4 of the last 10 matches, while in the 2021-2022 season, they won 5 and lost 5 of the last 10 matches. This time, in reality, they need to win all 6 remaining matches and wait for Man City to stumble.
Liverpool often has impressive sprints at the end of the season, so their recent loss of points is surprising. Last season, 7 wins and 3 draws in the last 10 matches helped The Kop secure a place in the top 4. Meanwhile, 8 wins and 2 draws in the 2021-2022 season helped them narrow the gap with Man City. down to 1 point.
After being eliminated from the Europa League, Klopp’s team had to march to Fulham’s home field. Although Liverpool have not lost at Craven Cottage since December 2011, they have drawn in their last two visits – a result that cannot be repeated this weekend.
But a victory over Fulham and another victory in the Merseyside derby with Everton will help the “Red Brigade” move 4 points ahead of Man City. By the time The Citizens return to the Premier League, they will be playing 2 games worse than Liverpool and Arsenal.
In short, both teams must win this weekend to retain realistic hopes of a championship. And vice versa, that will be enormous pressure on Man City. History shows that Guardiola and his students are not afraid of pressure, but football cannot predict anything.
Real Madrid have shown that Man City can be overcome so Arsenal and Liverpool must apply pressure to make that happen in the Premier League.
