Who wins the Premier League title if Man City and Arsenal finish on the same points

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Manchester City are now just three points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race after a 2-1 victory on Sunday

Manchester City took a big step towards the Premier League title on Sunday thanks to a 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

What happens if Man City and Arsenal finish level on points?

1. Two-horse race: Only City and Arsenal can realistically win the Premier League title. Theoretically, both teams can be caught by Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool but that would require them winning all their remaining matches and the frontrunners losing all of their remaining games.
2. City in control: The Blues' 2-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday moved them three points behind the Gunners. City hold a game in hand over Arsenal and should they beat Burnley on Wednesday night, they will go to the top of the Premier League.
3. Goal difference: Both City and Arsenal could finish this season on the same amount of points. If that happens, the title will be awarded to the team with the greater goal difference. Arsenal's is currently +37, while City's is +36.
4. Channeling history: City are currently the only team in Premier League history to win the title via goal difference. In 2012, Sergio Aguero's last-minute winner against QPR saw them pip United to the Premier League thanks to their superior goal difference.
5. Goals scored: Should City and Arsenal finish with the same points and goal difference, the deciding factor will be goals scored. Currently, City have the edge having scored 65, compared to Arsenal's 63.
6. Head-to-head results: If City and Arsenal can still not be separated, the title will be decided on the points picked up in head-to-head games. Earlier this season, the two teams drew 1-1 but after the win on Sunday, the Blues will win the Premier League on this decider.
7. No play-off: Had the game stayed 1-1 on Sunday, the two teams could have mirrored each other on every statistical tie-breaker leading to an unprecedented play-off to decide who wins the Premier League. That game would only be played if the Premier League decided the two sides could not be separated by other means - this includes goals conceded and disciplinary records.
8. Unlikely scenario: City now have the advantage should the two teams at the top have the same goal difference and goals scored. But considering how unlikely it is for the top two to have the same points at the end of the season, it is highly unlikely the campaign will go down to the head-to-head tiebreaker.