Premier League Title Race: Premier League is one of the toughest leagues in the world and it always offers fans extra drama in the final stages of the competition. Last season, Liverpool and Manchester City got separated by one point to decide the winner. Liverpool lost the title even after scoring 90-plus points which was a record. Now, Arsenal is falling apart in the final phase of the tournament as Manchester City closes in on the Gunners. But who are favourites to win the title this season? Follow Premier League Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
What’s going on in Premier League 2022/23?
This season’s title race started with Arsenal who remained dominant in the first phase of the competition. Manchester City kept the hopes alive by winning regular games but they were behind in the race. Man United and Newcastle also joined the battle in the winter but they dropped points which allowed us to have a two-horse race.
Look at the table after the Arsenal-Southampton game:
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | PTS | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
32 | 23 | 6 | 3 | 77 | 34 | +43 | 75 | D D D W W | |
| 2 |  |
30 | 22 | 4 | 4 | 78 | 28 | +50 | 70 | W W W W W | |
| 3 |  |
30 | 18 | 5 | 7 | 46 | 37 | +9 | 59 | W W W L D | |
| 4 |  |
30 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 48 | 24 | +24 | 56 | L W W W W | |
| 5 |  |
31 | 16 | 5 | 10 | 57 | 45 | +12 | 53 | L W D D W |
How the title race evolved this season?
Going into the final international break of the season, Arsenal had full command in the pursuit of a league title since 2004. Mikel Arteta’s side failed to retain these hopes as they dropped points in three consecutive games. They are still in the race but it depends on their Etihad trip where they face title rivals Man City, who are in dream form.
The Gunners played out a 2-2 draw against Liverpool and West Ham. In both games, Arsenal had taken a 2-0 lead but still shared the spoils. Southampton game added more pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side in the title race. Arsenal have played one extra game compared to Man City and their lead has been reduced to 5 points. It means, if Man City manages a victory in the next home game, they will somehow knock Arsenal out of the title race.
Arsenal have dropped points in their last three Premier League games.
Will it cost them the title? 😲 pic.twitter.com/1VzmjbtWOd
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 21, 2023
Arsenal are falling apart in the title challenge and they are taking pressure on their mind. Mikel Arteta also feels the same as they dropped points against a relegation-zoned side. Last season, the Gunners had full control of their Champions League qualification but they handed it to Tottenham due to poor games in the final stage of the league.
Arsenal had accrued 50 points from 19 games which shows their domination in Premier League 2022/23. Only Liverpool finished second in such a scenario as the other five teams won the title after scoring 50-plus points after the first half. The Reds fall short last season and they lost the race by just one point.
Premier League has a history of such collapse where a team suddenly loses the grip on the top. In 1995-96, Newcastle United had a good lead of 12 points but they missed out the glory in the end. Manchester United blew a 13-point lead over Arsenal in 1997-98. Manchester City won their first-ever title in 2011-12 when Man United had a strong lead of 8 points with six games left.
Arsenal have only kept 3 clean sheets at home in the Premier League this season (16 games played).
Only Southampton have kept fewer (1). 😰 pic.twitter.com/XnsIlILdzf
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 21, 2023
In mid-January, Arsenal had an eight-point lead over Manchester City, but they lost to Pep Guardiola’s side at home. Arteta’s man found the momentum back with 7 consecutive wins. However, City also managed their winning run in Premier League by winning six straight games. With one more Man City-Arsenal game left, the glory of the Premier League is in hands of Pep Guardiola.
Fixtures left for Arsenal in Premier League
Man City (A), Chelsea (H), Newcastle (A), Brighton (H), Nottm Forest (A), and Wolves (H)
Arsenal have tough assignments considering the pressure on them after not winning in the last three games. The trip to Etihad would be the title-defining for Mikel Arteta. They will face out-of-form Chelsea at home but the Blues might hurt them with a draw. Newcastle will again be a tough task as they are in solid form and fighting for the top four.
Brighton impressed a lot and they are also looking for the Europan qualification. It’s a home game so they can back for three points. The last two games against Forest and Wolves should be the cakewalk for Arsenal. It’s a simple formula for Mikel Arteta – win all remaining six games.
Fixtures left for Man City in Premier League
Arsenal (H), Fulham (A), West Ham (H), Leeds (H), Everton (A), Chelsea (H), Brentford (A), and Brighton (A)
Manchester City’s first big game will be the home fixture against Arsenal. Pep Guardiola would look to win this game to clear all the permutations and combinations. They have three home and three away games next. Fulham, West Ham, and Everton should be the easy games for Man City. Chelsea are not in the command and Man City will play them at Etihad so it will be another easy game. Brighton’s game will also be rescheduled and it would be a cracking contest.
Their last game will be the trip to Brentford, the side who beat them in the reverse fixture. Anything can happen in this game because the title race should finish in the last game. Winning keys are still in the hands of Man City but they can also not afford to drop points. Pep is already frustrated with the tight schedule. They have FA Cup and Champions League ties along with Premier League so injuries might hurt them in crucial games.
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