Arsenal and Man City fixture runs compared as title race tightens

Arsenal’s Premier League title charge has been given fresh context after Manchester City’s dramatic late win over Liverpool tightened the race at the top.

City appeared on course to drop points at Anfield on Sunday evening, a result that would have allowed Arsenal to open up a commanding nine-point cushion. Instead, a late Bernardo Silva equaliser followed by Erling Haaland’s 93rd-minute penalty secured a 2-1 comeback victory and ensured the champions remain firmly in pursuit.

As one Sky Sports commentator put it, the title race is very much alive.

Arsenal still sit six points clear with 13 league matches remaining and Mikel Arteta’s side remain favourites. A controlled 3-0 victory over Sunderland on 7 February 2026 marked back-to-back league wins since their defeat to Manchester United last month, restoring momentum at a crucial point in the campaign.

However, City’s ability to win under extreme pressure has again shifted the tone. The late turnaround at Anfield has not only preserved their hopes but injected belief into Pep Guardiola’s squad ahead of a demanding run of fixtures for both sides.

Guardiola was clear in his assessment of what comes next, insisting City must remain close enough to capitalise on any slip.

“All we can do is breathe down the neck of Arsenal and continue being there,” he said after the win. “Try if they go asleep, if they make a mistake, to use it.”

That mindset will define the next month, particularly with Arsenal still due to travel to the Etihad Stadium in April. Before then, both sides face stretches that could heavily influence the shape of the title race.

Arsenal face a demanding sequence dominated by away trips, including two London derbies in quick succession.

The trip to Tottenham stands out as a potential flashpoint, while away matches at Brentford, Wolves and Brighton offer little margin for error. Having followed Arsenal closely this season, their ability to control games on the road has been a defining strength, but this run will test squad depth and focus.

City’s schedule is more balanced on paper, with three home matches in their next five.

Home fixtures against Fulham, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest present opportunities to build momentum, though away trips to Leeds and West Ham have historically posed challenges. Much will depend on how Guardiola rotates his squad amid ongoing European commitments.

The coming weeks are likely to define whether the title race tightens further or swings decisively back in Arsenal’s favour. Arsenal’s immediate focus will be navigating a congested run of away fixtures without dropping points, while City must maintain consistency to ensure the pressure remains constant.

If Arsenal emerge from this period with their lead intact, confidence will grow. If City close the gap before April, the head-to-head meeting at the Etihad could become the pivotal moment of the season. This remains subject to confirmation, but the direction of travel should be clearer by early March.

Which run of fixtures do you think will have the bigger impact on the title race?