Manchester City stands on the brink of a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title, but Arsenal hopes for a last-minute slip from the leaders on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s dominant team enters the final day of the season with a two-point lead over second-placed Arsenal, thanks to an eight-game winning streak.
City, hosting West Ham and needing a win to clinch the title, are strong favorites to set a new standard for dominance in English football.
Arsenal, facing Everton at home in their final game, has been nearly flawless in 2024, with 15 wins and one draw (away to City) in 17 league matches.
However, the Gunners’ costly 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa last month appears to be decisive in a thrilling title race that also involved Liverpool until their recent setbacks.
This is not the first time City has been relentless in the intense heat of the run-in.
Guardiola’s team has dropped just six points since mid-December, with draws against Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal.
As City close in on a sixth title in seven seasons under Guardiola, the competitiveness of the world’s most-watched league has been questioned.
However, the Catalan coach has dismissed claims that the Premier League has become boring and that City’s dominance is solely due to the financial power of their Abu Dhabi-based owners.
“It’s not boring, it’s difficult,” Guardiola stated, pointing out that based on spending levels, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal should be matching City. “They spent as much money in the last five years as us. They should be there. They are not there.”
David Moyes will take charge of West Ham for the final time at the Etihad Stadium. The Scot did not offer much encouragement to Arsenal fans, claiming it would be difficult to stop Man City’s “under-14s winning the title,” let alone the champions in full flow.
Arsenal, who finished second last year, must beat Everton and hope City fail to win if they are to end their 20-year wait for the title.
Mikel Arteta’s squad has set a club record with 27 Premier League wins this season, yet it still might not suffice to dethrone City.
“We have to give ourselves the opportunity to live a beautiful day on Sunday, where the dream is still alive and possible,” Arteta remarked.
“It’s football, and once we are there, we just have to live in the moment.”
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will have an emotional farewell at the end of his memorable nine-year tenure, but the Reds are set to finish third regardless of their result against Wolves at Anfield.
“I spoke before about how hard it will be to say goodbye,” Klopp said.
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