Arsenal have been handed a timely boost after Manchester City could only manage a nervy 1-0 win over already relegated Burnley, a result that keeps the Gunners within striking distance despite their own recent collapse.
The Premier League title race has taken more twists than a soap opera. Arsenal were top. Then they lost to Bournemouth. Then they lost to City. Then City had the chance to bury them.
Instead? City stuttered. And the door remains open.
‘Things could have been much worse’
Let us be honest. Everyone expected a massacre. Burnley were already down. City needed goals to boost their goal difference. Erling Haaland scored inside five minutes. The script was written.
But the Clarets had other ideas.
City had 28 shots. Nine on target. Hit the woodwork twice. And still only scored once. Burnley showed more fight in defeat than most teams show in victory.
The result means City have jumped to the top of the table on goals scored alone, 66 to Arsenal’s 63. The goal difference remains identical. With five games left, that could be decisive.
“Things could have been much worse,” every Arsenal fan is thinking. A 4-0 or 5-0 City win would have given them a sizeable lead in goal difference. Instead, the Gunners are still breathing down their necks.
Arsenal’s kinder run in
On paper, Mikel Arteta’s side have the easier fixtures.
They host Newcastle, Fulham and Burnley at the Emirates. They travel to West Ham and Crystal Palace. All five opponents are in the bottom half of the table.
City, by contrast, have tricky away trips to Everton and Bournemouth, both chasing European places. They also host Brentford, Crystal Palace and fourth placed Aston Villa on the final day.
Four of those five teams are in the top half.
The pressure is still on
None of that matters if Arsenal do not win their games.
They have lost back to back league matches for the first time in months. The confidence has gone. The swagger has disappeared. Kai Havertz missed two glorious chances against City. The woodwork was hit twice. Fine margins.
But the title is still there. City have not run away with it. The goal difference gap has not grown.
Arsenal must now show their title credentials by going on a five match winning streak. And not just winning, winning big. Commanding scorelines. Goal difference could decide this.
The bottom line
City did their job. Barely. Arsenal got lucky. Again.
But luck runs out. The next five games will define this season. Arteta’s side have the easier fixtures. Now they have to prove they deserve to be champions.
If they slip up again, City will not be as forgiving as Burnley were.
The title race is still alive. Just about. Arsenal have been handed a lifeline. Now they have to grab it with both hands.