Why Arsenal vs Chelsea fixture switch is a good news to Man City in their Premier League title pursuit
Manchester City has been given the opportunity to exert pressure on their title rivals, Arsenal.
The Cityzen currently trail the league leaders by six points heading into the final weeks of the season, and even if they defeat the Gunners this month based on their respective schedules, they risk falling further behind.
The match against Brighton has not yet been scheduled, but Pep Guardiola’s squad has a game in hand and a five-goal advantage over the opposition.
However, due to their participation in the FA Cup, Mikel Arteta’s squad has the opportunity to gain points by playing additional Premier League matches this month while City is otherwise occupied.
But the rescheduling of Arsenal’s home game against Chelsea has leveled the playing field in April. The match was originally scheduled for Saturday, April 29, but has now been moved to Tuesday, May 2.
The Gunners were scheduled to play four games by April 29, including one at the Etihad against City. In contrast, Guardiola’s squad plays three times during the same period. It meant that even a win for Chelsea in that top-of-the-table clash wouldn’t be enough to reduce the deficit below six points if Arsenal won their remaining matches.
But now that Arsenal’s match against Chelsea has been postponed, it opens the door for City to exert pressure on the Gunners, who have not won the league title since 2004, in the final month. This weekend, Guardiola’s squad will play first, followed by a break for the FA Cup, Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, and Fulham away. Assuming Arteta’s team defeats West Ham and Southampton, three wins for City would reduce the deficit to a maximum of three points entering May.
Given City’s reputation for staying the course and distance, Arsenal’s participation in a title race for the first time in several years would be questioned if they had the chance to move within one mistake of the lead.
April fixtures for City and Arsenal
Saturday, April 15
Manchester City v Leicester City
Sunday, April 16
West Ham United v Arsenal
Friday, April 21
Arsenal v Southampton
Wednesday April 26
Manchester City v Arsenal
Sunday April 30
Fulham v Manchester City
Why Arsenal vs Chelsea fixture switch is a good news to Man City in their Premier League title pursuit
