Until about twenty days ago, it was a fierce battle of the trio, and after the stumbling of Liverpool, who won only four points out of a possible 12 in the last four games, it becomes clear that two teams are at stake in the championship race in the Premier League - Manchester City and Arsenal.
"The Gunners" are in first place, but everything depends on the current champion who has a game less after which, if everything goes as Pep Guardiola wants, they would have two points more than the London team and then it could be said that they are "citizen "" great favorites to defend the throne.
Every minute in the most exciting league in the world is now crucial, and this weekend could be crucial...
Liverpool visit West Ham three days after being slapped in the city derby by Everton (today from 13.30pm), while Arsenal and City play on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta's team will play against Tottenham in the North London derby at 15:17.30 p.m., while at XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. City will be away against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, playing against a rival who needs points for survival.
"Of course there is pressure, because now every mistake is paid dearly. We have five more games and we have to think only about the first one that awaits us. What happened to Liverpool can happen to us as well as Arsenal. Football is like that," said Guardiola, whose team outclassed Brighton 4:0 on Thursday.
After the duel with Forest, the champion will visit Fulham and Tottenham, and at the "Etihad" his rivals will be Wolverhampton and West Ham.
The calculation is clear - City will defend the title if they win all five matches.
"Everyone is playing for something and we have to approach each match carefully and with the clear intention to win," added Guardiola.
After the clash with Spurs, Arsenal plays at home with Bournemouth, then visits Manchester United, and welcomes Everton in the last round.
- We have done many good things and we dream of the title. I'm sure we can win it, although it doesn't depend on us - said Arteta.
Tottenham, on the other hand, is fighting for a place in the Champions League, but it is equally important to try to spoil the calculation of the biggest rival.
"We understand the situation before this game, we also understand what consequences it could have if we lose to Arsenal, who are fighting for the title," Tottenham manager Ainge Postecoglou is aware of what the fans want.
Liverpool has come to a situation where it probably won't matter to him even if he wins all the last four games in which he visits West Ham and Aston Villa, and welcomes Tottenham and Wolverhampton.
"I can't say that Arsenal and City still think we are a threat to them. I'm sure now they look at this fight as a two-man race. Maybe they will say something else publicly, but I don't think they think they will lose two games each until the end. I don't expect that to happen either. But, if it happens, it would be foolish of us not to be there. We haven't given up, I'm just saying that we have to be realistic," Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said.
The goal difference is also important, and it shows that Arsenal is ahead - it has plus 56, City is plus 48, and "reds" 41...
Bonus video:
