Man City and Arsenal title race state of play as key fixtures analysed

With just under two months of the Premier League season still to play, the title race between Manchester City and Arsenal is very much in the balance.

Despite Arsenal’s eight-point lead over second-placed City, the Manchester side have a game in hand. Most importantly, the title rivals meet at the Etihad on Wednesday 26th April in what could prove to be a season-defining clash.

With this in mind, let's take a look at what lies ahead for the two title contenders, as well as the possible outcomes for both teams.

City

City still have 10 games to play in the Premier League, as well as two quarter-final legs against Bayern Munich in the Champions League and a date with Sheffield United at Wembley in an FA Cup semi-final.

If they do progress in both competitions, City could have another 17 games to play in all competitions this season. In the Champions League, the dates for the semi-final legs will be 9/10 and 16/17 May, with the final in Istanbul on 10th June.

In terms of the FA Cup, the final will be played on 3rd June, a week earlier than the European final. As the league concludes on 28th May, progress to either final would not impact league fixtures. However, reaching the Champions League semi-finals would make May even more congested than it already is for City.

Arsenal

Unlike City, the North London side has no cup commitments. Arsenal were knocked out by Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League last month, and fell to defeat in the FA Cup at the Etihad back in January.

Arsenal also have one less league game to play than City, resulting in a clearer calendar over the course of April and May.

Key games

Both City and Arsenal will face Southampton, West Ham, Chelsea and Brighton over the next two months.

For City, the