Premier League title race: Could April decide destiny for Arsenal and Man City?

April could be the decisive month for the leaders as the Premier League season approaches its finale Arsenal and closest competitors Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta’s men are aiming for the club’s first league title since 2004; With a nine-point lead and seven games remaining, their fate is in their hands.

But second-placed City want to push them all the way and have the game and experience of getting over the line in this decisive period.

Pep Guardiola’s team, which wants to close the gap, can increase the pressure by hosting the leaders in the monumental match to be held at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, April 19. And recent history shows that this is the month in which City thrive and Arsenal flounder.

“We need to get a lot of points,” Guardiola said. “We haven’t been consistent enough throughout the season. We’ve lost the points we should have had, so we’re now in a position where we couldn’t have done it any differently.

“We need to win every match”

Arteta will be desperate for victory in May, having won only the FA Cup and Community Shield since taking over in 2019. Like City, his side have drawn seven games but suffered two fewer defeats.

Arsenal can further extend their lead when they host Bournemouth at Saturday’s lunchtime start, before City face a tough trip to sixth-placed Chelsea the following day.

“As it gets closer, the importance and importance of the match increases,” said Arteta, whose team has finished second in the last three seasons.

“Tomorrow is a big day for us. The players know it, the fans know it, too.

“12:30 kick-off, early kick-off, so wake up early, have an early breakfast, bring your lunch and let’s all get going because it’s got to be a big day.”