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Arsenal's title hopes hinge on crucial Premier League weekend
By Adam Schultz
Arsenal's Premier League title charge could rest on the outcome of its game against Manchester United, making it a must-win for Mikel Arteta's side.
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have been just about perfect in this title run-in, but in Matchday 37, they will know if they need to be again.
The Gunners have been the title pacesetters over the last month, with Manchester City needing to match what Arsenal does to keep close in the title race. Now, City has a chance to put the pressure on an Arsenal side that has to go to Old Trafford.
What is interesting about this is that City travel to Craven Cottage to face a Fulham side sitting 13th in the table and has only won once in its last five games.
City on the other hand are 5/5, which of course is no surprise.
What Pep Guardiola's side can do is heap all the pressure on Arteta's Arsenal by claiming three points and moving ahead of the Gunners, albeit briefly, by two points. That would mean anything other than a win at Old Trafford would basically hand City a fourth consecutive Premier League title.
Given how Arsenal dispatched Chelsea and Tottenham, Arteta could feel in a confident mood as United are there for the taking. After being curb-stomped by Crystal Palace 4-0, United is also facing an injury crisis with a host of players in doubt for the clash against Arsenal.
This weekend is crucial in the context of the title race, if both City and Arsenal win, then its status quo, with Guardiola's side's game in hand against Tottenham (away) midweek.
The Gunners need to pull out all the stops and win at a ground they generally struggle at (only one win in the last 10 trips to Old Trafford), and then force City to go to a ground where they don't fare too well, away at Spurs (since 2020, City have won just once in the league, lost last two meetings 2-0) and win.
City have the chance to put the pressure on Arsenal and force Arteta's side to show their mental capabilities in a tough environment.
The Gunners wilted under the pressure last season, and having been in control of the title race for the last month, can see the finish line.
But they must clear two more hurdles. Miss the first, and the race is over, with Guardiola's juggernaut again tantalizingly close to domestic glory. However, slay United, and the pressure will be back on City, with the Gunners converting to Spurs supporters a few days later.
No pressure, Arsenal.