Arsenal lead Man City by two points

Arsenal began May 18 with a two-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and two matches left in the season. The official Premier League table listed Arsenal on 79 points from 36 matches and City on 77, with City holding a one-goal edge in goal difference, +43 to Arsenal’s +42. Monday’s fixture list had Arsenal at home to Burnley, while City were due to play away at Bournemouth on Tuesday after their schedule was adjusted because of the FA Cup final. The final round of league matches is set for Sunday, May 24, with Arsenal away to Crystal Palace and City at home to Aston Villa. (premierleague.com) That leaves the title race in Arsenal’s hands. The Premier League said Arsenal would be champions if they win both remaining matches, while any slip would leave City a chance to draw level or move ahead. ### Why are Arsenal still ahead if Manchester City have scored more goals? (skysports.com) The Premier League table on May 18 showed Arsenal first because points come before every tiebreaker. Arsenal had 79 points and Manchester City had 77, even though City had scored 75 goals to Arsenal’s 68 and held the better goal difference by one. (premierleague.com) Rule C.17 of the Premier League handbook, as summarized by the league, says teams level on points are separated first by goal difference, then goals scored, then head-to-head points, then away goals in head-to-head matches, and finally a playoff if required. The league said City would have the edge on head-to-head points if the clubs were level after the earlier criteria. (premierleague.com) ### What does Arsenal need from Burnley and Crystal Palace? Arsenal’s equation is direct: two wins would settle the title regardless of what City do. The Premier League said a home win over Burnley followed by a result at Crystal Palace on May 24 would keep Arteta’s team out of City’s reach if Arsenal take maximum points. (premierleague.com) Burnley arrived in 19th place on 21 points and had already been relegated, according to the league table. Crystal Palace, Arsenal’s final-day opponent, stood 15th on 45 points after 37 matches. ### Why is Manchester City playing on Tuesday instead of Monday? Manchester City’s trip to Bournemouth was moved to Tuesday, May 19, because Pep Guardiola’s side played Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday, May 16, the Premier League said. (premierleague.com) That left City with a shorter turnaround in the league run-in than Arsenal, whose Champions League final is not until May 30. (premierleague.com) Bournemouth are not a mid-table bystander in this race. The Premier League said Andoni Iraola’s side were sixth on 55 points with two matches left and needed one more point from games against City and Nottingham Forest to secure a top-eight finish and qualify for Europe for the first time. (premierleague.com) ### How crowded is the race for Europe behind them? Nine teams were still competing for four remaining places in European competitions as the season moved into its last week, according to the Premier League. Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Aston Villa had already secured Champions League places through a guaranteed top-five finish. (premierleague.com) Liverpool were fifth on 59 points, Bournemouth sixth on 55, Brighton seventh on 53 and Brentford eighth on 52 in the table available on May 18. Sunderland, Chelsea, Newcastle, Everton and Fulham were also still within reach of European qualification places depending on final results and cup outcomes. (premierleague.com) ### What are the next dates that decide it? May 18 brings Arsenal against Burnley at the Emirates Stadium, and May 19 brings Bournemouth against Manchester City. The season then ends on May 24, when Arsenal visit Crystal Palace and City host Aston Villa in simultaneous final-day matches. (skysports.com) (premierleague.com)