Arsenal have dropped four points in the last two as their title tilt has stalled at just the wrong time.
With continuing to close the gap, the pace-setting Gunners are now only four points clear at the top, having played a game more than their rivals.
So what has gone wrong for Mikel Arteta’s men and how do they fix it?
Was drawing at Liverpool and really that bad?
Under different circumstances, taking a point away at Anfield and then drawing a derby against a side battling relegation would not be seen as a poor week’s work.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, though, both the timing and the manner of the two results will have impacted the whole mood at the club.
They have not won a league game at Liverpool since 2012 but and then had to hang on for a draw.
Fast forward a week and , racing two goals up inside ten minutes only to take their foot off the gas, concede twice, miss a penalty and drop another couple of points.
So what has been missing recently?
It might be more of a question of who. ’s back injury suffered in the Europa League defeat to Sporting Lisbon has seen the France defender miss the last four matches, having previously started every league game for the Gunners this season.
Arteta’s side coped brilliantly without Gabriel Jesus after the striker missed three months due to a knee injury but, defensively, their cover has not been as strong, with Rob Holding badly exposed at the London Stadium.
Are things likely to improve?
The club will cling to the hope Saliba can yet make a return in time for the top-of-the-table clash with City at the Etihad Stadium on April 26 but if he is not fit then Arsenal’s faltering backline, which was also without influential City old-boy Oleksandr Zinchenko at West Ham, may struggle to contain ruthless goal-machine .
What should concern Arteta most?
The relentless form of City will no doubt be giving the Arsenal boss food for thought but there is little to nothing he can do about that right now. Before the two sides meet, Arsenal host rock-bottom Southampton on Friday night.
Arteta will want to get the mentality right heading into that game and make sure, if his side find themselves ahead, they finish the job and – with City in FA Cup semi-final action – extend their lead at the top.
How hard would it be to recover if Arsenal do miss out on the title?
Given Arsenal were eight points clear, it would clearly be a shattering blow if they do fail to claim the title. However, the Gunners have been waiting 19 years to get their hands back on the Premier League trophy and hardly anyone would have expected them to launch such an impressive title bid.
There would be disappointment for all associated with the club if they were to slip up now but such a stellar season should still be a source of pride – and losing out to Pep Guardiola’s side would certainly be no disgrace.
They have the youngest squad in the division, players who have bought into Arteta’s ethos and have kept a rampant, and far more battle-hardened, City team at arm’s length. If their season does ultimately end in tears, they will have huge motivation and greater experience for the next campaign.
