Oliver Glasner has dealt Manchester City a potentially decisive title blow by suggesting he may field a weakened Crystal Palace side against Arsenal on the final day of the season.
The Eagles boss watched his team get brushed aside 3-0 at the Etihad on Wednesday night. A much changed City side moved to within two points of Arsenal. The title race is alive. Just about.
But City need favours. From Burnley on Monday night. And from Palace on the final day.
Glasner’s latest comments? Not what Pep Guardiola wanted to hear.
‘Manchester City have a huge final’
Speaking after the defeat at City, Glasner was asked about the hosts making six changes to their starting XI. He didn’t complain. He understood.
But then came the kicker.
“Manchester City have a huge final in three days so maybe it is the legitimation to make huge rotation against Arsenal,” Glasner said.
That’s the hint. City rotated against Palace because they’ve got the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday. Palace, meanwhile, have their own European final to think about, the UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano on May 27.
If City can rotate, so can Palace.
What that means for Arsenal
Arsenal face Burnley at home on Monday night. Win that, and they go into the final day with the title in their hands.
Their last opponent? Crystal Palace. A Palace side that may have one eye on a European final. A Palace side that could rest key players. A Palace side that Glasner just admitted may follow City’s lead.
That’s a gift for Mikel Arteta.
City’s slim hopes take another hit
City need Arsenal to drop points in one of their last two games. Burnley away? Unlikely. Palace at home? Possible but only if Palace show up.
Glasner’s comments suggest they might not.
City have done everything asked of them. Beat Brentford. Beat Palace. Now they face Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday, then Bournemouth away on Tuesday.
Win both, and they’ve done their part. But if Palace roll over for Arsenal on the final day? There’s nothing City can do about that.
The bottom line
Guardiola made six changes against Palace because he has a cup final to think about. Glasner has just signalled he’ll do the same against Arsenal.
That’s not a conspiracy. That’s fixture congestion. But it’s also a massive, massive blow to Manchester City’s title hopes.
Arsenal have been handed a gift. Now they just have to unwrap it.
