![\"tagreuters.com2023binary_LYNXMPEJ3N08D-VIEWIMAGE\"](\"http:\/\/lynettelockhart.com\/client\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reuters_Direct_Media\/USOnlineReportSportsNews\/tagreuters.com2023binary_LYNXMPEJ3N08D-VIEWIMAGE.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBy Martyn Herman<\/p>\n
LONDON (Reuters) – Like a sky blue juggernaut, Manchester City have begun to fill Arsenal’s rearview mirror and on Wednesday the reigning champions have the chance to begin their over-taking manoeuvre on the road to a fifth Premier League title in six years.<\/p>\n
A match that has loomed on the fixture list for months as a likely title-decider now feels like a must-win game for an Arsenal side whose hold on the summit is coming loose.<\/p>\n
While treble-chasing City have been churning out the wins, just as they usually do at the business end of a season, Arsenal’s young pretenders have been struck by vertigo.<\/p>\n
They could have been going to City with a double-digit points lead but after surrendering 2-0 advantages to draw consecutive away games 2-2 at Liverpool and West Ham United, they were then held to a frenzied 3-3 draw by bottom club Southampton on Friday.<\/p>\n
After that rip-roaring contest, in which Arsenal needed late goals from Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka just to salvage a point, the players slumped to the turf and their fans filed away wondering if the dream of a first title since 2004 was fading.<\/p>\n
Arsenal still have a five-point lead with six games to play but City have two matches in hand and look irresistible having collected 25 points from the last 27 on offer.<\/p>\n
According to statistician Simon Gleave of data company Gracenote, Arsenal’s draw with Southampton left them with a 21% chance of dethroning City, while Pep Guardiola’s side now have a 79% probability of finishing top.<\/p>\n
BIG ASK<\/p>\n
Football has a habit of delivering twists and turns, however, and despite their recent jitters Arsenal remain in a position few could have imagined at the start of the season.<\/p>\n
And while Mikel Arteta would have much preferred a bigger cushion heading to the Etihad Stadium, at least his players now know exactly what is required on Wednesday – victory.<\/p>\n
“I cannot wait, these are the games you want to play,” Arteta said in the wake of Friday’s draw. “When everything is at stake you have to go there to win.”<\/p>\n
It is a big ask though. <\/p>\n
Arsenal have lost their last seven meetings with City in all competitions and have not won at City in the league since 2015.<\/p>\n
City have chipped away at Arsenal’s lead while also progressing to the semi-finals of the Champions League and on Saturday reached the FA Cup final after easing past Sheffield United in third gear.<\/p>\n
The games are coming thick and fast for Guardiola’s side but such is the quality and depth of his expensively-assembled squad that few doubt their ability to chase only the second treble – Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League – by an English side.<\/p>\n
They were able to make six changes to their starting line-up against Sheffield United, while goal-machine Erling Haaland was subbed off early along with Jack Grealish as City set their sights on a classic ‘six-pointer’ with Arsenal.<\/p>\n
Guardiola has not played down what is at stake.<\/p>\n
“Wednesday is a final against a team that has been the best team in England so far and is five points ahead of us,” the Spaniard said. “It’s a massive, important game for us.<\/p>\n
“We know winning will give us a step to putting it completely in our hands.”<\/p>\n
\n(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Peter Rutherford)<\/p>\n
![\"tagreuters.com2023binary_LYNXMPEJ3N08G-VIEWIMAGE\"](\"http:\/\/lynettelockhart.com\/client\/wp-content\/uploads\/Reuters_Direct_Media\/USOnlineReportSportsNews\/tagreuters.com2023binary_LYNXMPEJ3N08G-VIEWIMAGE.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"