Champions close gap to three points as contrasting fixture lists await Premier League’s top two
Manchester City have done their bit. The 3-0 dismantling of Fulham on Wednesday night was as routine as it gets—first-half goals from Antoine Semenyo, Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland had the game sewn up by the interval, allowing Pep Guardiola to haul Haaland off at half-time for an early rest.
The champions are now breathing down Arsenal’s necks, the gap sliced to three points. But the equation is simple: if City keep winning, the Gunners can’t afford to blink.
All eyes now turn to west London, where Mikel Arteta’s side face Brentford on Thursday night knowing victory restores their six-point cushion. Lose or draw, and the temperature rises considerably.
What’s Next for City?
Guardiola’s men face a February and March schedule that, on paper at least, looks favourable.
Saturday 14 February: Salford City (H) – FA Cup fourth round
Saturday 21 February: Newcastle United (H) – Premier League
Saturday 28 February: Leeds United (A) – Premier League
Wednesday 4 March: Nottingham Forest (H) – Premier League
Saturday 14 March: West Ham United (A) – Premier League
A potential FA Cup fifth-round tie could squeeze into that mid-March window, but the league fixtures are all winnable. Guardiola will know that this is the kind of run where titles can be seized.
The Rivals’ Road Ahead
Arsenal face the trickier immediate test. Thursday’s trip to Brentford is no gimme, and the north London derby at Tottenham follows soon after. Chelsea at home offers opportunity, but Wolves away and Brighton at home are the kind of fixtures that have tripped them up before.
Brentford (A) , Wigan (H – FA Cup), Wolves (A), Tottenham (A), Chelsea (H), Brighton (H)
Aston Villa remain in the conversation despite stuttering recently. Unai Emery’s side have the quality to trouble anyone, but a run including Chelsea, Manchester United and a trip to Wolves will test their staying power.
Newcastle (H – FA Cup) , Leeds (H), Wolves (A), Chelsea (H), Manchester United (A), West Ham (H)
Further back, Manchester United and Chelsea are clinging to the coat-tails, while Liverpool continue their slow climb from mid-season slumber. The top-four scrap is very much alive.
But the headline act is further up. Three points. Twelve or thirteen games to go. City have done this before. Arsenal are trying to do something they haven’t in two decades.
The next few weeks will tell us everything.
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