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Arsenal are five points clear at the top of the Premier League but Manchester City still have a game in hand as we enter a crucial phase of an unmissable title race
Arsenal have reasserted control at the top of the Premier League following Sunday's hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have now won back-to-back top-flight matches, suggesting they have recovered following their ropey blip which saw them drop points on the road at Brentford and Wolves, respectively.
We are now on the home straight and into the final months of the campaign but the title race is somewhat complicated by other competitions as there is still lots of football to be played in the Champions League and FA Cup, on top of the Carabao Cup final.
Crucially, Arsenal have now played one match more than City, who still have to navigate a rearranged home fixture against Crystal Palace in the coming months.Mikel Arteta's side have just nine matches to play while Pep Guardiola's hungry challengers have 10 Premier League games on the horizon.
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The maximum points City can get to at this moment in time is 89 and that's providing they beat the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal's maximum is 91 and that's also providing they beat City at the Etihad in April. Importantly, should Arsenal win that game, City's maximum points total is 86.
The math suggests Arsenal would need to accumulate 19 other points from now until the end of the season to make sure of the title.
Therefore a total of 23 from their remaining nine fixtures, providing they win at City, would be enough to see them crowned champions.
City also know that the title is still in their hands because if they win their remaining 10 matches, they will finish top of the pile.
If the two EFL Cup finalists were to draw in April, City would also require Arsenal to drop more points before the end of the campaign as they would still be two points adrift if they win their game in hand.
In the case of a draw, Arsenal would require a total of 25 points from their remaining nine fixtures to mathematically secure their first Premier League title since 2004.
It's safe to say there is a long way to go for both teams and the unmissable showdown at the Etihad in April will go a long way to shaping where the title ends up.
Still, it's highly likely the sprint to the finish line will go to the wire. City host Aston Villa on the final day while Arsenal travel across London to face Crystal Palace.
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