Man City must brace for Arsenal advantage in Premier League title race
Manchester City are behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race and are unlikely to pick up points heading into the clash.
06:00, February 24, 2026
Arsenal’s mistakes over the last fortnight have helped Manchester City’s charge, but it has never been easy. A 4-1 win over Tottenham in the north London derby stabilizes Mike Arteta’s side and adds more points to the table for the Blues to grab.
The Gunners’ recent results mean the title race is in the hands of two challengers with just under a third of the season remaining. Because they will meet at the Etihad in April, if either team manages to win all of their remaining matches they will be crowned champions.
Arsenal, however, have the advantage and, due to the schedule, are extremely likely to arrive in Manchester in six weeks’ time as Premier League leaders. While they lost two points against Wolves, it was an extra game that allowed them to extend their lead to five points with victory over Spurs.
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There is a chance that City’s home game against Palace, which has to be rearranged due to the Carabao Cup final, will be played before the Blues host Arsenal, but at the moment there is no date and it seems unlikely. With City’s other commitments and an international break coming up, there are just four Premier League matches on the schedule in the two months before Arsenal arrive at the Etihad.
Meanwhile, City face Leeds away, Forest at home, West Ham away and Chelsea away. Arsenal then host Chelsea, then Brighton away, Everton at home and Bournemouth away. The two clubs also meet in the Carabao Cup final, play at least one FA Cup match and at least two Champions League matches.
This means that if the Blues are to have any hope of being top by the time they host Arsenal, they must have taken at least six more points from the four games and therefore realistically expect the league leaders to lose two out of four. Unless City take at least two points more than Arsenal from the block of four, even a win against the Gunners might not be enough to see them go top of the table.
Such has been Arsenal’s performance, and their advantage in playing a game more than City, it’s just something the Blues are going to have to prepare for. If they want to reach the top of the Premier League, it’s unlikely to be for at least a few months due to the way the matches have been going.
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The Carabao Cup final will see Arsenal take on Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London in March.
That might give the impression that whatever City have been doing hasn’t been enough to reach the top, but on the other hand it means they’re unlikely to have too much time where they’re not in the same position: tracking down Arsenal. It should be easier to focus on yourself knowing that there are fewer changes.
Arsenal have more points on the board, but as long as City keep them close before welcoming them to Manchester, there is no reason to worry.
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