by Title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal clash on Wednesday in a highly anticipated encounter that could determine the fate of the Premier League crown.
The Gunners head to the Etihad Stadium five points clear at the top of the table but champions City, with two games in hand, are also in control of their own destiny.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some talking points ahead of the game.
Can Arsenal stop City’s charge?
Arsenal have led the way for most of the season but it is City who now have the momentum. The Londoners’ lead was eroded after three consecutive draws as City returned to form. Pep Guardiola’s treble-chasing side have won 11 of their last 12 games, putting their early season inconsistency behind them.
Wednesday’s victory would undoubtedly give City the lead and, with all their experience of ending seasons on a high note, the signs could be ominous for Arsenal. It appears the London club will need to win to have any hope of realizing their dream.
No sign of city weariness
With City chasing glory in three competitions and matches ramping up, Arsenal may have been hoping to feel the strain. Unfortunately for the Gunners, there are few signs of it.
Guardiola cited fatigue as he made six changes for Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United, but such was the ease of their 3-0 win with Riyad Mahrez coming into the squad to score a hat-trick, it was clear that there are no serious problems there. Nor does the pressure seem to bother them.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are faced with this situation for the first time and, even without the distraction of other competitions, they are the ones who seem to need a ride.
injuries
City have doubts about Nathan Ake being fit but, following the return of Phil Foden at the weekend, are still in good health. Indeed, from what could have been a tough season with more World Cup call-ups than any other side, City have come through this season relatively unscathed so far.
Arsenal have had to deal with some significant injuries to key players this season and the current absence of William Saliba has been acutely felt. The defense hasn’t been as solid without him in recent weeks and coach Mikel Arteta will be eager for his return.
Potential title makers
There are a number of potentially interesting stories waiting to be written. Most of City’s titles this season have been generated by the remarkable Erling Haaland and the prolific Norwegian stands on the verge of another couple of milestones.
Two more goals would not only see Haaland equal the Premier League record of 34 goals in a season, but also take his overall tally for the season to 50.
In the Arsenal squad, key players Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko, both sacked by City last summer, will have the chance to upset their former team-mates.
Manager
Guardiola regularly praises his former assistant Arteta, but the Gunners boss has struggled to get the better of his old boss.
The two have met eight times in management with Guardiola winning seven. Two of his successes have come this season with City beating Arsenal 1-0 in the FA Cup at the Etihad in January and followed up with a 3-1 Premier League win at the Emirates Stadium a few weeks later. Arteta’s only win came in an FA Cup semi-final three years ago.
