Man City handed Premier League title advantage - we're about to see what Arsenal are made of

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Manchester City and Arsenal occupy the top two places in the Premier League title and could fight out an intriguing title battle over the coming months

"We are in early November and you cannot win the title. You can lose it, but you cannot win it."

The wise words of Pep Guardiola, a man well versed in winning titles when the Manchester City boss was asked about the developing Premier League championship chase between the Blues and Arsenal.

City headed into the November international break boosted by a commanding victory over Liverpool that hauled them into second spot and trimmed Arsenal's lead at the top to four points.

The Gunners have actually extended their lead over City by a point since the last international break, but the momentum has perhaps started to shift ever so slightly towards Manchester.

City are showing signs of clicking into gear, with the Aston Villa defeat the only loss since August in any competition. Pep Guardiola's side have successfully chased Arsenal down before and while this Emirates iteration appear to be made of stronger stuff, there can be no doubt that a few nerves will be creeping in to Arsenal's thinking.

The Gunners haven't won a Premier League title in more than 20 years, City have won six of the last eight. The Blues are course and distance experts. Arteta's side have yet to prove they can clear that final hurdle.

The next few months promises to be fascinating. And while it may not be defining, it will set the scene for the second half of the campaign.

And City have a short-term advantage. The Blues take on Newcastle, Leeds United and Fulham in their next three fixtures. And on each occasion they play a day before Arsenal.

The first of those three matches looks the trickiest despite Newcastle's domestic struggles. Eddie Howe's side remain a tough test on their own patch, although City are six unbeaten at St James' Park.

If Guardiola's side can claim a victory in the north east it will ramp up the pressure on Arsenal ahead of the North London derby the following day.

The Gunners then travel to Chelsea 24 hours after City host Leeds, a scenario that is repeated in early December's midweek fixtures when Arsenal welcome Brentford to the Emirates.

Each of the next three rounds of top flight fixtures offers City the chance to increase the pressure on Arteta and Co. It might be that the Gunners are up to the task, but the next few weeks will be a clear test of North London mettle.