Arsenal 79 points; two games left

Arsenal entered the final stretch of the Premier League season on Thursday with 79 points from 36 matches, two ahead of Manchester City, and the title still unresolved. The Premier League said on May 13 that Arsenal remain in control because wins in their final two league matches would guarantee the championship. Manchester City, who also have 36 matches played, kept the gap at two points with a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday. The run-in leaves Arsenal at home to Burnley and away to Crystal Palace, while City travel to Bournemouth before hosting Aston Villa. ### Why can Arsenal not win the title in their next match by themselves? Arsenal cannot clinch the title solely by beating Burnley because Manchester City would still have two matches left and a path to finish above them. The Premier League said Arsenal would be champions only if they win both remaining matches, or if City drop enough points to remove that possibility. (premierleague.com) A single Arsenal win would move Mikel Arteta’s side to 82 points, but City could still reach 83 by winning at Bournemouth and against Aston Villa. The numbers are tight enough that even an Arsenal draw would reopen more scenarios. The league said any slip by Arsenal, “even a draw,” would give City the chance to move level or ahead depending on their own results. ### What exactly has to happen for Arsenal to be champions before the final day? (premierleague.com) Arsenal can secure the title before May 24 if they beat Burnley and Manchester City fail to win at Bournemouth. A draw for City would leave Arsenal on 82 points and City on 78 with one match remaining, making Arsenal unreachable. A City defeat would leave Pep Guardiola’s side on 77 and also end the race before the final round. (premierleague.com) The schedule creates that opening because Arsenal play first. NBC’s schedule release said Arsenal host Burnley on Monday, May 18, while City’s trip to Bournemouth is set for Tuesday, May 19 after being moved because of the FA Cup final. (premierleague.com) ### If the teams finish level on points, who has the edge? The Premier League said the first tiebreaker is goal difference, followed by goals scored, then head-to-head points and away goals in those meetings. Arsenal’s goal difference stands at plus-42, while Manchester City’s is plus-43. City have also scored 75 league goals to Arsenal’s 68. (nbcsports.com) Manchester City would also hold the next tiebreaker if points, goal difference and goals scored were all equal. The league said City took four points from their two league meetings with Arsenal this season, through one win and one draw. (premierleague.com) ### How did the title race reach this point? Arsenal stayed first with a 1-0 win at West Ham United on Sunday, according to the Premier League’s title-race update. Manchester City then responded with a 3-0 home win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday to cut the gap back to two points. (premierleague.com) The official table lists Arsenal at 24 wins, seven draws and five defeats, with Burnley next and Crystal Palace after that. The same table shows Burnley in 19th place on 21 points, while Palace are 15th on 44. Bournemouth, City’s next opponent, are sixth on 55 points. ### What are the final fixtures that will decide it? (premierleague.com) May 17 is Arsenal’s home match against Burnley in Matchweek 37, and May 19 is Manchester City’s away game at Bournemouth. The final day is May 24, when Arsenal travel to Crystal Palace and City host Aston Villa, the Premier League said. (arsenal.com) May 30 is also on Arsenal’s calendar because the club have reached the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest, but the league title will be decided six days earlier. For the Premier League race, the next named fixtures are Arsenal against Burnley and Manchester City against Bournemouth. (premierleague.com)