What happens to the Premier League title if Man City and Arsenal finish on same points?

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Manchester City and Arsenal could finish the Premier League level on points, and we've taken a look at the tiebreakers that would come into play if that happens.

Man City have advantage over Arsenal in the Premier League title race(Image: Getty Images)

What will happen if Arsenal and Man City finish level on points in the Premier League?

The context: Arsenal and Manchester City have been locked in a battle at the summit of the table throughout the campaign. But what happens should both sides end up level on points, which appears an increasingly realistic prospect as the final weeks of the season draw closer?
Goal difference: This is the primary and most widely-used method for separating sides who are tied on points at the conclusion of the 38-game season. It is worked out by deducting the total goals conceded from the total goals scored. Arsenal and City are remarkably close in this regard, meaning it could well prove decisive come the end of the campaign.
Goals scored: Should the sides still be inseparable on goal difference, the team that has netted the greater number of goals across the entire season will be placed higher. This method was famously employed in 1989 when the Gunners snatched the title from Liverpool.
Head-to-head: If goal-based criteria still cannot split the two teams, the results from the pair of matches contested between them this season will be examined. This tiebreaker has yet to be used to settle a Premier League title race.
Head-to-head record: Should it ultimately come down to head-to-head results, Man City hold the upper hand, having claimed four points against Arsenal through a 1-1 draw in September and a 2-1 win last week. If all other criteria are equal and head-to-head encounters become the deciding factor, City would be crowned champions.
Head-to-head away goals: Given City's victory over Arsenal at the Etihad, this metric will not be required. However, for context, the next method of separating the two sides would be whichever team has netted the most away goals in their head-to-head encounters. This would favour City, but as they've already secured the head-to-head tiebreaker, it is largely irrelevant.
Neutral venue play-off: As outlined above, this scenario is also no longer on the cards. But should all other metrics be level, a one-off play-off would be employed to determine the destination of the title. This has never been utilised in Premier League history and it won't be required this season either.
Who they've got on the final day: Should both sides still be in contention on the last day of the season, neither face particularly straightforward fixtures. City host Aston Villa, while Arsenal make the trip to Crystal Palace.
READ MORE: Man City and Arsenal final points tally predicted with 72% favourite decided