As the Premier League season approaches its finale, April could be the defining month for leaders Arsenal and closest challengers Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta’s men are aiming for the club’s first league title since 2004 – and with a nine-point lead and seven games remaining, have destiny in their own hands.
Second-placed City, though, are looking to push them all the way and have a game in hand and experience of getting over the line in this decisive period.
Pep Guardiola’s side, looking to claw back the deficit, can increase the pressure when they host the leaders in a monumental fixture at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, 19 April. And recent history shows this is the month where City excel and Arsenal flounder.
“We need to get a lot of points,” said Guardiola. “We have not been consistent enough in the season. We have dropped points that we should have taken, which is why we are now in the position where we cannot do it differently.
“We have to win every single game.”
Arteta will be desperate to triumph come May, having won only the FA Cup and the Community Shield since taking charge in 2019. Like City, his side have drawn seven games, but they have suffered two fewer defeats.
Arsenal can further extend their lead when hosting Bournemouth in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, before City face a tricky trip to sixth-placed Chelsea on Sunday.
“The closer we get, the relevance and importance of the match increases,” admitted Arteta, whose side have finished runners-up for the past three seasons.
“[Saturday] is a big day for us. The players know it, the supporters know it.
“It is a 12:30 kick-off, an early kick-off, so get up early, have an early breakfast, bring your lunch and let’s go all together for it because it has to be a big day.”