Premier League: Arsenal and Man City Could Be Forced to Play Play Off Clash to Decide Title Winner

Premier League: Arsenal and Man City Could Be Forced to Play Play Off Clash to Decide Title Winner

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:30 PM
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  • Arsenal are the leading contenders for the Premier League title this season
  • Mikel Arteta's men are leading the standings with 72 points and have an eight-point cushion over Man City
  • The Emirates dwellers are keen to win this season's title as it would be their first in almost two decades

Premier League leaders Arsenal could be forced to face off against Manchester City in a massive play-off clash to decide this season's title winners.

The Gunners have emerged as the favourites to secure the crown this term after an incredible run of form under Mikel Arteta.

The north Londoners are currently topping the standings with 72 points, eight points ahead of second-placed Man City, who still have a game to play.

Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola, Man City, Premier League, Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta shakes hands with Pep Guardiola before the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium. Photo by David Price.
Source: Getty Images

Earlier last Saturday, Sky Sports reported City cut the deficit to just five points after their 4-1 thrilling win over Liverpool, only for Arsenal to restore their eight-point advantage after beating Leeds by a similar scoreline.

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Despite Arsenal's significant advantage in the title race, City are still hopeful of catching Arteta's men.

Arsenal, Man City play-off

There is a possibility, by some weird chain of events though, that the two league leaders could meet in a play-off to decide title winners.

According to The Sun, points, goal difference, and goals scored are the three main parameters used to decide who wins the Premier League.

Whereas Arsenal have a buffer over City in terms of points picked so far, they trail the reigning champions by two on goal difference and one on goals scored.

In the event all these parameters are even at the end of the season, head-to-head matches will be taken into account, followed by away goals scored in head-to-head games.

This does seem farfetched, but then it is a likely scenario, especially if Arsenal score three goals in a victory over Man City when they face off at the Etihad, and still go on dropping enough points to allow Pep Guardiola's men to match their points tally.

Such a scenario would occasion a playoff at the end of the season to determine who wins the 2022/23 Premier League season.

Rooney backs Arsenal for glory

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Wayne Rooney has made his prediction for this season's Premier League title race as Arsenal and Man City go head-to-head.

Rooney, a Man United legend, has backed Arsenal to lift the Premier League title this season ahead of Man City.

According to the former striker, he cannot see the north Londoners collapsing despite pressure from Pep Guardiola's side.

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Fred Kennedy
Editor - Europe Team
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Mikel ArtetaPep Guardiola