Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal took a significant step towards Premier League glory last Saturday as they secured an assured 3-0 victory over Fulham at the Emirates. Equally significant, the Gunners’ title rivals Manchester City could only manage a 3-3 draw on their Monday-night visit to Everton. Those results leave Arsenal five points clear at the top of the table, although Pep Guardiola’s side still have a game in hand.
It’s fair to say that Arsenal fans will be happier than City’s faithful after the latest round of matches. Given that City came back from 3-1 down at Everton, it could have been worse for the Manchester side. Their late equaliser will give them hope of overhauling Arsenal in the title race, as the Gunners have been known to stumble when the pressure’s on. There’s still all to play for, but Arteta’s men have their fate in their hands once again.
Impressive Arsenal Buoyed by Scintillating Saka
Arsenal welcomed Fulham to the Emirates on Saturday, and with Man City not playing until Monday evening, the Gunners had the chance to stamp their authority on the title race and open up a six-point gap. Despite some nervous times for Arsenal fans in recent weeks, there were no such jitters in this one as the north Londoners started brightly and looked intent on forcing the pace of the game. It wasn’t long before the home side were rewarded as Bukayo Saka, making his first start for weeks, beat his man on the right and put it on a plate for Viktor Gyokeres to tap in his 14th league goal of the campaign.
Arteta’s side pushed for the second and came close several times, with Fulham stopper Bernd Leno making a string of fine saves. They also had a goal ruled out for offside on the half-hour mark. The home side didn’t panic, however, and got the breakthrough in the 40th minute when roles were reversed as Gyokeres played in Saka, who fired into the bottom corner to make it 2-0. It wasn’t long before the game was over as a contest as Leandro Trossard chipped a cross towards Gyokeres, who nodded home just before half-time.
With the game all but won and an eye on the Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday, Arteta subbed Saka off at half-time as he didn’t want to take any chances. In the second period, the Gunners pushed to improve their goal difference and probably should have added at least one more goal. As it was, they had to settle for a 3-0 win as they looked to Everton to do them a favour in the Monday night game against Man City.
City Salvage a Draw and Title Hopes at Everton
David Moyes’ Everton had not been in amazing form coming into this one, having lost to West Ham and Merseyside rivals Liverpool in their previous two games. But the Toffees put in a real shift as they battled for victory against City at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Everton were still very much in the hunt for European places before kick-off, and three points would have given them a real chance of making the Europa League. As it was, they had to settle for a point. They probably would have taken that at half-time when they were 1-0 down after a screamer of a goal from Jeremy Doku just before the break.
The home side were in no mood to roll over for the visitors, however, and looked determined to force their way back into the game in the second period. Their equaliser came in the 68th minute when Thierno Barry latched onto a botched backpass from Marc Guehi and slotted coolly past Gianluigi Donnarumma. Just five minutes later, City’s title challenge looked in serious doubt as Moyes’ men went 2-1 thanks to a deft Jake O’Brien header from a corner. Things got even better for the home side as Barry added a third in the 81st minute with an easy tap-in after good work from Merlin Röhl on the right flank. City looked shellshocked, and no doubt Arsenal fans across the land were jumping for joy. But it wasn’t over…
Just two minutes later, straight after the restart, Erling Haaland got one back for the visitors with a fine chipped finish. Then, deep in injury time, Doku hammered in another fantastic goal to earn the point that just about keeps Pep’s men in the title race. Moyes had never got the better of Pep Guardiola ahead of this match, and though he came mighty close, that wait must continue.
Who Will Win the Premier League Title?
Despite City’s fine comeback to earn a point, and their game in hand, the Gunners are the strong favourites to claim their first league title since the “Invincibles” season of 2003/04. The bookies price Arteta’s side at just 1/6 to take the Premier League crown, with City out at 9/2. The title race may still have a few twists and turns left in it, but after the most recent round of fixtures, the advantage undoubtedly lies with Arsenal. Can they make it count?