Before this match, the two title contenders were locked on points, but Mikel Arteta’s men had slipped to second place because the Citizens held a superior goals scored tiebreaker.

With this result, Arsenal move to 73 points, establishing a three-point cushion over Manchester City (70 points). However, the title race remains extremely tight: Pep Guardiola’s men have a game in hand, as they were absent from league play this weekend to defeat Southampton in the FA Cup semifinals.

Here’s how things stand in the 2025-26 Premier League after today’s game:

Arsenal’s path to the Premier League title

The Gunners have just four games left in their quest to secure the Premier League trophy. However, Mikel Arteta’s men must navigate a dual-front battle, as they remain heavy contenders in the Champions League, where a high-stakes semifinal clash against Atletico Madrid awaits.

To clinch the domestic title, Arsenal will need to maintain their momentum through these final league fixtures:

• Fulham (home) – May 2
• West Ham (away) – May 10
• Burnley (home) – TBD
• Crystal Palace (away) – May 24

Manchester City’s remaining Premier League schedule

Unlike Arsenal, Manchester City have five matches remaining on their domestic calendar. The Citizens have a game in hand due to their FA Cup semifinal game, where they faced Southampton.

As Pep Guardiola’s squad looks to close the gap at the top of the table, it will needs to navigate a congested May schedule that includes three home fixtures and two crucial away trips. Here are the remaining Premier League matches for the defending champions:

• Everton (away) – May 4
• Brentford (home) – May 9
• Bournemouth (away) – TBD
• Crystal Palace (home) – TBD
• Aston Villa (home) – May 24

On a strong run, Manchester City became the new leader of the Premier League this week, beating Arsenal and securing another win to level on points and goal difference, with more goals scored, placing them at the top of the English league in its final stretch. Meanwhile, their opponent are among the top five teams in the Championship, the second division.

After being eliminated from the Champions League, City continue their search for a double as they remain in the fight for the Premier League and now in the FA Cup, where their final opponent will come from the matchup between Leeds United and Chelsea. Meanwhile, Southampton look for an epic result as they try to defeat one of the current giants of Europe.

What happens if Man City win vs Southampton?

As this is an FA Cup semifinal, the match is decided in a single game. If Man City win against Southampton, they will advance to the final against the winner of Chelsea and Leeds. The champion of the tournament will be decided next Saturday, May 16, at Wembley Stadium.

Manchester City arrive with a boost. The last time they faced each other in this competition was on March 20, in the quarterfinals of the 2021-2022 FA Cup, and it was Manchester City who won 1-4.

What happens if Man City and Southampton tie?

If Manchester City draw in the 90 minutes, there will be extra time and, if needed, penalties. Since the FA Cup system is not played over two legs, but in single elimination matches.

What happens if Man City lose vs Southampton?

If Manchester City lose against Southampton, they are officially eliminated from the competition, with no chance of winning the title this season, and with the Premier League being highly contested, that could influence tactical and lineup decisions in the match. And Southampton would achieve the epic result.

Last weekend may have marked a turning point in this stretch, following the Gunners’ defeat at the hands of City. Pep Guardiola’s side beat Arsenal 2–1, situation that inflicted Mikel Arteta to urge calm among his players, bringing both teams level on 70 points.

With only a handful of matches remaining, neither team can afford to concede points along the way. Arteta and his side want to stay alive in the race and achieve its ultimate goal of being crowned champions.

What happens if Arsenal beat Newcastle today?

If Arsenal beat Newcastle, they will reach 73 points and move into sole possession of first place. One key detail to keep in mind: Manchester City still have a game in hand, despite having already played Matchday 34, beating Burnley last Wednesday.

Both teams have the same goal difference (+7), although the Citizens have scored more goals (66 compared to the Gunners’ 63). At this stage, it will be crucial to score as many goals as possible.

What happens if Arsenal and Newcastle tie today?

If Arsenal and Newcastle draw today at the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta’s side will reach 71 points and move into sole possession of first place. However, City still need to play against Crystal Palace from Matchday 31, which, if they win, could see them go top of the table.

What happens if Arsenal lose to Newcastle today?

If Arsenal lose to Newcastle at home today, they would remain on 70 points, sharing the top of the table with City. However, if the Manchester side pick up points against Palace in their outstanding fixture, they would become outright leaders.

Arsenal’s remaining matches:

• vs Fulham
• vs West Ham
• vs Burnley
• vs Crystal Palace

A spot in the FA Cup final is on the line as Manchester City enter this semifinal in top form, fresh off statement wins over Burnley and Arsenal—two direct challengers in the Premier League title race—while continuing its push for silverware across multiple competitions.

However, standing in the way is a fearless Southampton squad fighting for promotion from the Championship and riding the momentum of a stunning quarterfinal upset over Arsenal, setting the stage for a compelling clash you won’t want to miss.

When will the Manchester City vs Southampton match be played?

The game for the 2025/2026 FA Cup semifinal between Manchester City and Southampton will be played this Saturday, April 25 at 12:15 PM (ET).

Manchester City vs Southampton: Time by State in the USA

ET: 12:15 PM
CT: 11:15 AM
MT: 10:15 AM
PT: 9:15 AM

How to watch Manchester City vs Southampton in the USA

This FA Cup game between Manchester City and Southampton will be broadcast in the United States on ESPN+.

Depending on the result, Pep Guardiola‘s men could either strengthen their chances in the race for domestic dominance or risk dropping valuable points in a tightly contested finish. On Sunday, Man City claimed a huge win over Arsenal to boost their title hopes.

The clash between Manchester and Burnley F.C. will take place at Turf Moor, with kickoff scheduled for 3 PM ET. City are currently second in the Premier League standings (three points behind Arsenal with a game in hand), while Scott Parker’s side sit 19th.

What happens if Man City beat Burnley today?

If Man City (67 points) beat Burnley today, they will move to the top of the Premier League as they would surpass Arsenal (70 points) either on goal differential or goals scored.

A City win, meanwhile, would practically seal Burnley’s fate as they would be relegated to the Championship with just 20 points in 34 games.

What happens if Man City and Burnley tie today?

If Manchester City draw with Burnley, they would fail to take full advantage of their title race opportunity and may remain behind Arsenal in the standings. Man City would have 68 points, two shy of the Gunners.

For Burnley, a draw would do little to help in their fight for survival, as they would still face a mountain to climb with 21 points.

What happens if Man City lose to Burnley today?

If Manchester City lose to Burnley, they’d remain in second place three points behind Arsenal. On the other hand, a victory would see Burnley reach 23 points, and while they’d still have no margin for error, this kind of upset would give them hope of avoiding relegation late in the season.

[Watch Burnley vs Manchester City online in the US on DirecTV Stream]

It’s a high-stakes clash with major implications at both ends of the table as Manchester City look to keep the pressure on Arsenal after a statement win that pulled them within three points of the summit—with a game still in hand.

Pep Guardiola’s side now has a golden opportunity to capitalize against Burnley, one of the league’s bottom dwellers. But Burnley, clinging to faint survival hopes, won’t roll over—knowing anything less than a perfect finish likely seals their fate.

When will the Burnley vs Manchester City match be played?

Burnley take on Manchester City this Wednesday, April 22, for the 2025/2026 Premier League Matchday 34. Kickoff is set for 3:00 PM (ET).

Burnley vs Manchester City: Time by State in the USA

ET: 3:00 PM
CT: 2:00 PM
MT: 1:00 PM
PT: 12:00 PM

How to watch Burnley vs Manchester City in the USA

Catch all the action of the 2025/2026 Premier League clash between Burnley and Manchester City the USA on DirecTV Stream. Other options: Sling Blue, USA Network, Universo and Hulu + Live TV.

When asked by beIN Sports if the loss would define the title race, Arteta remained resolute. “No, there are five games left for us and six for them,” Arteta said. “We are still three points ahead. There is still so much to play for.”

Arteta’s comments signal that while the defeat is a significant blow to its championship quest, the North London side remains confident. For the Spanish tactician, the road to the Premier League crown is far from over, with plenty of twists expected before a champion is crowned.

Following Man City’s win and the subsequent update to the Premier League table, Arsenal enter the coming week with the narrow comfort of still sitting atop the standings. They remain in the driver’s seat, though their margin for error has all but evaporated.

Arsenal stymied by clinical Man City

It wasn’t just City’s tactical masterclass that hindered Arsenal on the road; the Gunners lacked their usual clinical edge in the final third. Multiple efforts rattled the woodwork, as missed opportunities allowed Manchester City to stay in the fight and eventually seize the points.

Captain Martin Odegaard, typically the heartbeat of the Arsenal attack, struggled to find space between the lines. His inability to dictate the tempo was a glaring issue for a side that has relied heavily on his creative vision throughout the campaign.

Beyond Odegaard, the forward line—with the exception of a hardworking Kai Havertz—failed to find its rhythm. Eberechi Eze was largely anonymous throughout the contest, a disappearance that proved costly against a City defense that tightened their grip as the match progressed.

A domestic or continental priority?

While the domestic title is now under threat, the club’s focus must quickly shift toward its European ambitions. After punching their ticket to the Champions League semifinals last week, Arsenal find themselves at a crossroads.

With both competitions reaching a fever pitch, the upcoming semifinal clash against Atletico Madrid may provide the ultimate clue as to where Arteta will place his chips. After Sunday’s setback, the Gunners must decide if they have the depth to chase glory on two fronts or if one trophy must take precedence.

In the end, Pep Guardiola‘s team gained the upper hand, reducing the gap with Mikel Arteta‘s side in the Premier League standings.

Thanks to their 2-1 win, Manchester City (67) are now just three points shy of leaders Arsenal (70) with a game in hand, which means the Citizens can tie the Gunners on points if they win their pending league fixture.

Here’s how things stand in the 2025-26 Premier League after today’s game:

Arsenal’s schedule: What’s next for them in the Premier League?

While Arsenal are also alive in the UEFA Champions League (they will face Atletico Madrid in the semifinals), the Gunners have five games left in the 2025-26 Premier League season:

• Newcastle (home) – April 25
• Fulham (home) – May 2
• West Ham (away) – May 10
• Burnley (home) – TBD
• Crystal Palace (away) – May 24

Manchester City’s remaining Premier League fixtures

Unlike Arsenal, Manchester City are no longer in UEFA Champions League contention but they do have the chance to lift the FA Cup, facing Southampton (who knocked Arsenal out) in the semifinals.

In Premier League action, Pep Guardiola’s men have six fixtures left this term, one more than Arsenal:

• Burnley (away) – April 22
• Everton (away) – May 4
• Brentford (home) – May 9
• Bournemouth (away) – TBD
• Crystal Palace (home) – TBD
• Aston Villa (home) – May 24

The reason for Saka’s absence is a lingering Achilles injury, which has caused the winger to miss all games since the EFL Cup final, precisely against Manchester City, on March 22. Saka is undoubtedly one of the best players on the Arsenal roster.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described Saka’s issue as something of “days not weeks” but this has spanned for a month now. The fact is Noni Madueke will once again have to come in and try to produce the best results in Saka’s absence. Follow all things related to Manchester City vs Arsenal live here.

This match could decide the winner of the 2025-2026 Premier League

While the Premier League is a league format, this feels like a final, even though five games will remain after this. However, this could very well decide who wins this year’s edition. Arsenal have 70 points in 32 games, while City have 64 in 31 outings.

This means that if Manchester City win, they would have 67 points, just three below Arsenal, but with one game in hand that, if City win (vs. Crystal Palace), would put them at first place due to goal difference.

How’s the recent history between Arsenal and Man City?

Man City won the latest game between the two less than a month ago for the EFL Cup final with a comfortable 2-0 thanks to a Nico O’Reilly brace. In the first half of the Premier League, they drew 1-1 at the Emirates.

There was a span, from October 17, 2020 to April 26, 2023, where City won eight games in a row. The most one-sided game between the two teams in recent memory was a 5-1 victory for Arsenal on February 2025.

Pep Guardiola’s men head into this massive clash in high spirits, having avoided defeat in their last nine Premier League games. Manchester City haven’t lost in league play since their derby defeat to Manchester United in January.

Mikel Arteta’s side, on the other hand, arrives on Matchday 33 with pressure on its shoulders and a point to prove. Last time out, Arsenal were shocked by Bournemouth at home, which boosted the Citizens‘ confidence. Additionally, Man City beat Arsenal in the EFL Cup final in March. Will the Gunners redeem themselves today?

What happens if Arsenal beat Manchester City today?

If Arsenal beat Manchester City today, they will reach 73 points and provisionally extend their lead over the Sky Blues to nine points. Guardiola’s team would remain second in the Premier League table with 64 points, but with a game in hand.

What happens if Arsenal and Manchester City tie today?

A tie between Arsenal and Manchester City would leave the Premier League title race wide open, as the Gunners would remain six points clear of the Citizens but with one more game played.

What happens if Arsenal lose to Manchester City today?

If Arsenal lose to Manchester City today, Guardiola‘s men would reduce the gap with the London club to only three points and with a game in hand. This would leave the Sky Blues in a strong position, as they would tie the Gunners in points if they win their pending league fixture.

A defeat would be the worst possible scenario for Arteta‘s side today, as it could see its title hopes seriously in danger after leading the standings for much of the 2025-26 campaign.

Following a dominant campaign, Arsenal have dropped crucial points, making today’s result a struggling one, as the Citizens look to close the gap for first place. And now, with updated Premier League standings and schedule for both teams, the fans await for the development of the league.