Staff Writer, Chloe Riala, comments on the intense nature of the run-in for the 2023/24 Premier League season, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City all within a chance at grasping this year’s title.
With the top three teams separated by only one point after 28 games , the Premier League title race is intensifying, promising one of the most captivating title races in years. Delving into the seasons of Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal as well as their upcoming fixtures, the stage is set for a thrilling battle as the title race heats up.
A whole decade has passed since the last three-way title race in the 2013/2014 season, where Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool were separated by only two points. Now, as enter the closing stages of the 23/24 Premier League season, football fans are in for a treat as we witness one of the most exciting title races – with the winner potentially decided on the very last matchday.
Treble winners, Manchester City, are determined to make history by becoming the first team to win the Premier League four times in a row. Meanwhile, Arsenal – led by Mikel Arteta – are looking to revive their glory days, chasing the Premier League title exactly 20 years after their legendary invincible’s season. As for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, winning the trophy would be a poetic end to his legendary career with the Reds and the ideal way for him to exit Anfield.
A Thrilling Weekend of Football
Gameweek 28 saw Arsenal climb to the top of the Premier League table after a late winner against Brentford at home. After humiliating Sheffield United last weekend with a 6-0 win, Arsenal are the first team to win three away games in a row by five or more goals. The Gunners have scored the most goals (68) and conceded the least (23) in the Premier League this season. This gives them a significant lead in their goal difference – which could prove fundamental if the title was to be decided on such a stat.
Liverpool drew 1-1 to City at home in a game that did not disappoint. City were dominating the game in the first half with John Stones opening the score after Kevin De Bruyne’s beautifully taken low-driven corner. This was until Alexis Mac Allister equalised from the spot in the early stages of the second half, marking the turning point of the game. The Reds went head-to-head with the defending champions and had the most chances in the second half despite suffering from injuries and the absence of their key winger Mo Salah who was substituted later on in the game. The Sky –Blues were lucky to walk away with a point considering Liverpool missed chances and a claimed penalty that wasn’t given following Jeremy Doku’s high challenge on Alexis Mac Allister in the 97th minute. Although we didn’t have a winner on the pitch, this was certainly a win for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal as they remain the leaders in this title race.
Remaining Fixtures
Arsenal will make the journey to the Etihad the last day of March for a match that could very well define the Premier League title race. The Gunners approach this crucial match with renewed confidence, having triumphed over the defending champions twice this season. This leaves them at a very different position from last season, where Arsenal suffered a defeat to City twice in the Premier League along with an exit from the FA cup. This speaks volumes about their evolution both on and off the pitch. Could this be a testament to Arsenal’s growing confidence and experience in the heat of the title race? After throwing an eight-point lead away last season, Arsenal appears to have a different approach this time around, emerging as the dark horses in this year’s three-way title race. Arsenal visiting City will be the real test for them – if they beat City, they might very well go ahead to win the title.
Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, questioned if the north Londoners could handle the pressure. Unlike Liverpool and City, the Gunners have a young squad and players who have little experience in title races. This became obvious last year when pressure was building as they were being chased by Manchester City. Arsenal also have to face Porto at the Emirates after going one down against them in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. This is another test for Mikel Arteta’s team to see if they can handle the pressure on the European stage and how this will affect their domestic campaign.
Deeply emotional motivations drive Klopp’s Reds as they try to win the Premier League title following their most recent victory in 2020. Liverpool has shown strong character and commitment on the pitch throughout the season. They have repeatedly shown their resilience by securing three points in the dying moments of extra time and making heroic comebacks after conceding. Last weekend saw Liverpool secure a late win after Darwin Nunez’s late winner against Nottingham Forest – a firm header in the 99th minute. Further, their win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final in extra time demonstrated once again their hunger for glory. Despite dealing with injuries and missing their key players throughout the season including Salah, Szoboszlai Alisson and Trent Alexander Arnold, Klopp’s team has shown a sense of unity and a characteristic that champions possess: the ability to always find a way despite obstacles. Unlike Arsenal and City, Liverpool do not have any midweek Champions League fixtures and they can continue their run in the Europa League by resting their main players following their huge win against Sparta Prague. As things stand it seems Liverpool have what it takes to lift this title.
Despite the current form of Arsenal and Liverpool, Manchester City remain the favourites to win this title. The Blues have stayed unbeaten since their defeat to Aston Villa in early December. The return of Kevin De Bruyne from injury further strengthens City’s lineup with the Belgian having 13 goal contributions since his comeback. While City typically go on an unbeaten run towards the end of the season, it’s going to be interesting to see how the departures of key experienced players like Ilkay Cundogan and Riyad Mahrez will affect their run with ten games left in the season. If Manchester City secures a victory against Arsenal at home at the end of the month, they could potentially gain the upper hand in the title race. However, both Arsenal and City have to go away at Tottenham which could cause an upset for both teams as Spurs seem determined to secure a spot for next year’s Champions League.
April could prove to be the most entertaining month of the title race where only one thing is certain: none of the three teams can afford to lose points. With every match becoming increasingly crucial, the tension mounts as Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City battle it out. With the season rapidly approaching its peak on May 19th, football fans worldwide are in for a thrilling spectacle.
