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If there's one thing Arsenal fans strive to avoid in the 21st century, it's optimism. They could be within touching distance, but even then, Arsenal fans would prolong their celebrations. Nobody would have thought this seven years ago, but Unai Emery (yes, that Unai Emery) just turned into a source of optimism for Arsenal fans.
Unai Emery's Aston Villa, who already proved before the New Year that they can throw a spanner into the title race, travels to face Man City on the final Premier League day. Make no mistake about it, the Premier League title race will be decided on the final day of the season.
Aston Villa's personal chase could help Arsenal destroy Man City
Aston Villa will be no pushovers as they travel to face Man City on the final day. They never are pushovers, but this season in particular, they have reason to fight until the very end.
Villa are involved in a project of their own, and it will be completed by reaching the Champions League. Currently, they sit fourth in the table right now, and the battle for places in Europe is certainly heating up.
There is every likelihood in the world that this could be the best final Premier League day of the season in a long time, for multiple reasons. That Man City vs Aston Villa is a standout because both teams are fighting for different things: the Premier League title and a place in the Champions League.
One Arsenal fan on Reddit said "Villa still needing a point or three points to finish in the Top 5 on the last day of the season (they have City) would be huge."
Never did Arsenal fans think they'd be rooting for Unai Emery AND Emiliano Martinez to reach their goals, but this is the reality. The two former Gunners doing a job on the final day of the season might just hand Arsenal their first Premier League trophy in over two decades.
And we must emphasise the "might." As always with Arsenal, being tentative is paramount.
Date | Man City's Fixtures | Arsenal's fixtures |
|---|---|---|
TBC | Crystal Palace (H) | |
4 March | Nottingham Forest (H) | Brighton (A) |
14 March | West Ham United (A) | Everton (H) |
11/12 April | Chelsea (A) | Bournemouth (H) |
18/19 April | Arsenal (H) | Manchester City (A) |
25/26 April | Burnley (A) | Newcastle (H) |
2/3 May | Everton (A) | Fulham (H) |
9/10 May | Brentford (H) | West Ham (A) |
17 May | Bournemouth (A) | Burnley (H) |
24 May | Aston Villa (H) | Crystal Palace (A) |
A lot could happen between now and the end of the season. Heck, Arsenal face Man City twice (in the Carabao Cup final and the Premier League). Nevertheless, this is the closest the title race has been in a long time. If Arsenal win the league anytime, it's bound to be this season, right?
Man City play more games than Arsenal, and they play harder games than Arsenal. If there's one game you'd look at as being Arsenal's potential kryptonite, it'd be the Man City fixture. For Man City, though, there are two: Arsenal and Aston Villa.
Man City fans are beginning to wake up to the uncomfortable truth that Arsenal are serious this season. They don't look as attractive, but they're much more effective.