Arsenal two points clear over Man City

Arsenal entered the final week of the Premier League season two points clear of Manchester City after results on Sunday, May 17, left the title race unresolved with two matches remaining. The Premier League said Arsenal were top and City second, with Arsenal’s lead intact after a 1-0 win at West Ham United earlier on Sunday and City’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Brentford’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace and Leeds United’s 1-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion were among the other matchweek 37 results posted on the league’s fixtures page. Arsenal now host Burnley on Monday, May 18, before finishing away to Crystal Palace on May 24, while City travel to Bournemouth on May 19 and host Aston Villa on May 24. ### How close is the table with two games left? The Premier League said on May 17 that Arsenal were two points ahead of Manchester City with both clubs having two league matches to play. The league’s title-race explainer said Arsenal would be champions if they won both remaining matches. (premierleague.com) Goal difference was the next separator if the teams finished level on points, and the margin there was one goal. The Premier League said Arsenal had a goal difference of +42, based on 68 scored and 26 conceded, while City stood at +43 with 75 goals scored. (premierleague.com) ### What do Arsenal need to do from here? Arsenal can settle the title by taking six points from their final two league fixtures. The Premier League said wins at home to Burnley and away to Crystal Palace would make Mikel Arteta’s side champions regardless of City’s results. (premierleague.com) A draw could reopen the race immediately. The league said a single Arsenal slip, “even a draw,” would give City the chance to move level on points or go ahead depending on scorelines and goal difference. ### Why does Manchester City still have a path? (premierleague.com) Manchester City remain within reach because they trail by only two points and hold the slightly better goal difference. The Premier League said Pep Guardiola’s side would have the chance to draw level or move ahead if Arsenal dropped points in either of their final matches. (premierleague.com) City’s schedule is also compressed. The Premier League said Bournemouth away was moved to Tuesday, May 19, after City’s FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday, May 16, leaving the club to balance the title run-in with cup commitments. (premierleague.com) ### What happens if they finish level on points? Rule C.17 of the Premier League Handbook sets out the tiebreakers, and goal difference comes first. The Premier League said the order after points is goal difference, then goals scored, then points won in head-to-head matches, then away goals scored in head-to-head matches, and finally a playoff match. (premierleague.com) Goals scored currently favor City as well. The Premier League said City had scored 75 league goals to Arsenal’s 68, and that if the clubs were level on points, goal difference and goals scored, City would then lead on head-to-head points after taking a win and a draw against Arsenal this season. (premierleague.com) ### Which fixtures now matter most? Matchweek 37 resumes with Arsenal against Burnley on Monday, May 18, according to the Premier League fixtures page. The same page listed Bournemouth against Manchester City for Tuesday, May 19, before both contenders play their final league matches on Sunday, May 24. (premierleague.com) The final day pairings are already set. The Premier League said Arsenal will close the season away at Crystal Palace, while Manchester City will host Aston Villa, with both matches carrying direct title implications if the gap remains open after midweek. (premierleague.com 1) (premierleague.com 2)