Decisive, not yet decisive, but almost: the final verdict of the Premier League will come out - in all probability - from 90' tomorrow night at the Ethiad stadium, with Arsenal called to the company if they don't want to resign themselves to the inevitable overtaking by Manchester City right on the finish line.
Clash at the top, in the midweek round of the English championship: in Manchester the reigning champions receive a visit from the Gunners, first in the standings since August.
A long and exciting solo which, however, has stalled in the last few weeks.
Right at the climax: three consecutive draws, the first two (against Liverpool and West Ham) after squandering the double lead, the last one at home against bottom side Southampton.
A sharp slowdown that allowed City, 25 points in their last nine outings,
to come back close, at -5 from the top, but with two races to recover.
A victory for the Citizens, who have already beaten Arsenal twice this year (in the Fa Cup and in the league, last February), would be equivalent to a serious mortgage on the title, the fifth of the Guardiola era (in seven seasons). the ninth on the bulletin board.
"Obviously it's an important match because we have the chance to score points and take away points from our direct opponents - the Catalan coach said -. We can't deny that it's an important match, but not a decisive one because there are still too many games to go".
On the other hand, only a victory can revive the hopes of the Gunners, led by Guardiola's former pupil, the Spaniard Mikel Arteta.
"Arsenal have always had an incredible phrasing ability, players are selected with these characteristics. But with Mikel the team has made a further leap in quality, now they are competitive and aggressive."
Compliments returned by the interested party, who dreams of bringing the Premier League back to the Emirates where it has been missing since 2004. "We still believe in it,
I just think of how the boys helped each other and fought for every ball even in the last few games.
We know that it will be very difficult for Etihad, but not yet decisive.
If we win we will not have won the championship yet;
if we lose the odds will decrease.
But there are five games left and anything can happen". Also because if Arsenal, between now and June, will be able to concentrate only on the championship, City is called to chase a historic treble, being in the FA Cup final (against Manchester United) and awaited by the double semi-final of the Champions League against Real Madrid Three trophies for the definitive consecration of the absolute protagonist of this season of the Citizens, Erling Haaland, already 32 goals (in 28 league appearances), 48 seals since his arrival in Manchester
We know that it will be very difficult for Etihad, but not yet decisive.
If we win we will not have won the championship yet;
if we lose the odds will decrease.
But there are five games left and anything can happen". Also because if Arsenal, between now and June, will be able to concentrate only on the championship, City is called to chase a historic treble, being in the FA Cup final (against Manchester United) and awaited by the double semi-final of the Champions League against Real Madrid Three trophies for the definitive consecration of the absolute protagonist of this season of the Citizens, Erling Haaland, already 32 goals (in 28 league appearances), 48 seals since his arrival in Manchester
We know that it will be very difficult for Etihad, but not yet decisive.
If we win we will not have won the championship yet;
if we lose the odds will decrease.
But there are five games left and anything can happen". Also because if Arsenal, between now and June, will be able to concentrate only on the championship, City is called to chase a historic treble, being in the FA Cup final (against Manchester United) and awaited by the double semi-final of the Champions League against Real Madrid Three trophies for the definitive consecration of the absolute protagonist of this season of the Citizens, Erling Haaland, already 32 goals (in 28 league appearances), 48 seals since his arrival in Manchester
Overview of the 33rd day (RESULTS AND STANDINGS)
Wolves-Crystal Palace 8.30pm
Aston Villa-Fulham 8.45pm
Leeds-Leicester 9pm
Nottingham-Brighton Wednesday 8.30pm
Chelsea-Brentford 8.45pm
West Ham-Liverpool
Manchester City-Arsenal 9pm
Everton-Newcastle Thursday 8.45pm
Southampton-Bournemouth
Tottenham-Manchester Utd 21.15