Man City's huge psychological advantage over Arsenal in Premier League title run-in revealed

Manchester City have already 'banked' the mental adversity needed to succeed in the Premier League title race unlike Arsenal according to a sports psychologist.

City moved themselves into the driving seat to retain their Premier League crown last weekend as both the Gunners and Liverpool slipped up. With Pep Guardiola's side securing a comfortable 5-1 victory over Luton the day prior, the Blues now sit two points clear of their rivals with just six games remaining.

MEN Sport spoke to senior lecturer in applied sport psychology, Dr Paul McCarthy, about the title run-in and he explained how City's experience of perseverance could be a huge factor in the remainder of this title race. He explained: "Those happen [feeling of accepting the title had gone] because Man City are used to winning.

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"On any given chance, they’ll take it. Arsenal are trying to develop that momentum but it isn’t as secure as it is at Man City.

"What’s good for Man City is that when they’re backs are against the wall, they’ll probably figure a way out. Whereas for other performers, they don’t have the same memory bank to encourage them to gather the sense of unity and collective ethnicity [belief in our own ability], it’s not there to the same extent.

"That doesn’t mean that they [Arsenal] can’t succeed but it is easier for the people who have recent memories to lean on." The Premier League title race takes a mini hiatus this weekend as City turn their attention back to the FA Cup.

Guardiola's men travel down to Wembley Stadium on Saturday teatime to face Chelsea in the first FA Cup semi-final. Manchester United take on Coventry