Premier League title permutations as Man City and Arsenal battle | Football | Sport

Arsenal could be crowned Premier League champions without kicking a ball next week if results fall favourably. The Gunners sit two points clear of nearest challengers Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola’s side having now played their game in hand.

City secured a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening. Antoine Semenyo opened the scoring after latching onto a delightful backheel from Phil Foden. Omar Marmoush doubled City’s lead with his third Premier League strike of the season. Savinho then sealed matters late on.

City’s triumph leaves them two points behind Mikel Arteta‘s side, who could potentially bring an end to their two-decade wait for a Premier League title within days. Arsenal face already-relegated Burnley next on Monday evening before their final-day encounter with Crystal Palace. Put simply, if Arsenal win both fixtures, they will be crowned champions. However, there could be further twists before then.

Should the North London outfit triumph against Burnley, they would stretch their lead to five points. With City competing in the FA Cup final against Chelsea this weekend, Guardiola’s men will not get the chance to respond until next Tuesday.

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City’s final Premier League away fixture takes them to Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium on Tuesday. Should Arsenal claim victory over Burnley, City would require nothing less than a win against the Cherries to keep their title hopes alive. Any other result would see Mikel Arteta’s side officially crowned champions before the final day even arrives.

However, should Arsenal fail to beat Burnley, the door remains firmly ajar for City. A draw for the Gunners at the Emirates against the Clarets would guarantee the title race extends to the final day. Depending on their result at Bournemouth, City could find themselves level on points with Arsenal, two points adrift, or three behind.

In any of those scenarios, they would need to match or better their rivals’ result on the last day to clinch the title on goal difference. Were Arsenal to suffer a shock defeat to Burnley, City could head into the final day in pole position, provided they beat Bournemouth. A victory for Pep Guardiola‘s men against Aston Villa on the last day would then be sufficient to secure the title.

Even a draw or defeat on the final day could potentially hand City the crown, so long as Arsenal also drop points against Crystal Palace. Ultimately, City’s fate rests entirely in Arsenal’s hands.

Should the North London outfit win both of their remaining fixtures, the title is theirs. However, if Arsenal falter at any point, City need only win their last two games to be crowned champions.

There remains, however, a scenario in which the title could be settled on goal difference, should Arsenal finish two points behind City across their final two fixtures. In that case, the margin of victory in each side’s remaining games would prove decisive.

Bournemouth (A) – Tues, 19 May

Aston Villa (H) – Sun, May 24

Burnley (H) – Mon, 18 May

Crystal Palace (A) – Sun, May 24