Manchester City’s fixtures assessed - When and where Arsenal can regain title race edge

Arsenal no longer control their destiny in the Premier League title race. Their defeat to Aston Villa allowed Manchester City to build a two-point lead at the top and the Gunners will have to rely on Pep Guardiola’s side dropping points to have a chance of winning the title.

Arsenal have plenty of tough tests still to come themselves, including trips to rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. However, the weekend proved that the title race does not always go as expected, with Liverpool also losing at home to Crystal Palace.

To gain maximum points and maintain top spot until the end of the season, Man City would require a nine-game winning run in the league; a feat that Guardiola’s side have not managed so far this term. While Arsenal fans are reeling from the team’s setback, several games could cause Man City problems and hand the Gunners a vital boost in the title race. Here is a closer look at Man City’s toughest remaining games.

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Brighton (A) - Thursday 25 April

The game against the Seagulls will come in midweek after Man City have not only focused on their Champions League tie with Real Madrid but also played in an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea, four days earlier. Brighton’s inconsistent form means that Roberto De Zerbi’s side are a step below the force they were last season but their unpredictability could catch Man City off-guard.

An added layer to the fixture is that both Arsenal and Liverpool will have the chance to knock Man City off top spot this weekend, while Guardiola’s team are in FA Cup action. That pressure took a toll on Arsenal against Villa and Man City could face a similar issue at Brighton.

Nottingham Forest (A) - Sunday 28 April

At this point in the season, it is important not to overlook the teams involved in the relegation battle. Forest sit a point above the bottom three after their recent points deduction and have only lost one of their last five games.

The club have recorded some impressive wins at the City Ground during their two years back in the top-flight and the home crowd are likely to provide a tricky atmosphere for Man City to navigate, shortly after their clash with Brighton.

Fulham (A) - Saturday 11 May

Perhaps the most surprising inclusion on this list. Man City’s remaining home games against Wolves and West Ham United look tougher propositions in theory, but Fulham boss Marco Silva has masterminded several impressive displays against top sides this season.

The west London side have earned four points against Arsenal, while also picking up wins over Spurs and Manchester United.

Spurs (A) - Wednesday 14 May

This is a game that Arsenal fans may already have noted down on their calendars. In their penultimate match of the season, Man City will travel to a Spurs side that will be chasing a place in the top four.

Tottenham are the highest-ranked team that Man City will face during the run-in and the two sides played out a 3-3 draw earlier in the season. It is worth noting that all four fixtures on this list are away from home for Man City as Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in their last 41 games at the Etihad Stadium across all competitions.