Arsenal told they have blown the title with Man City loss in unanimous verdict

It looked like this year would be different for Arsenal. That this would finally be the campaign that climaxed with them toasting a first Premier League title since 2004.

They were so far ahead at one point that one bookmaker even paid out on them winning the league back in February. But just like in previous years, Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have reeled them back in - and they could even go top with their game in hand in midweek when they travel to a Burnley side who are already all but relegated.

The momentum is now with City, who will strongly fancy their chances of clinching a fifth title in six years. But as Declan Rice said post-match on Sunday, nothing is done yet and Arsenal do still have the time and games to rally and ward off the challenge from Guardiola and Co.

Can they do it? We asked the Mirror Football team to predict the rest of the season to determine who will win the title next month...

For all the drama and emotion now swirling around the title race, there is a simple truth. Manchester City looks like a squad that is not going to slip up in ANY of its remaining six Premier League fixtures.

And that means Arsenal will have to win all five of theirs and outscore Pep Guardiola’s side. Both of those scenarios are unlikely. In fact, it is by no means a given that they take maximum points from their home game against Newcastle United on Saturday.

Aside from the significance of the win against Arsenal, the number of options available to Guardiola for that game was frightening. Just have a look back at the line-ups and check out City’s bench. It might change but the City manager does not have any serious injury worries and will be able to balance Premier League commitments with FA Cup commitments.

Sure, games such as Everton away and Bournemouth away will be tricky but this is an operation that is moving through the gears at the right time. It might well go down to the last day but City will get it done.

Man City:

Burnley (A) - 0-4

Everton (A) - 1-3

Brentford (H) - 2-0

Bournemouth (A) - 1-2

Crystal Palace (H) - 3-0

Aston Villa (H) - 2-0

Arsenal:

Newcastle (H) - 2-1

Fulham (H) - 1-0

West Ham (A) - 1-1

Burnley (H) - 4-0

Crystal Palace (A) - 1-2

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There is only one winner in the title race now. Manchester City have got the momentum, they look unstoppable and Pep Guardiola will cruise to his seventh Premier League crown.

City always time their run well while Arsenal have wobbled and shown nerves just at the wrong time. Don’t tell me the Carabao Cup final did not matter - it planted the seeds of doubt, City got Arsenal’s number and they have been nervous ever since.

Look at City’s games. They should win them all. The only complication is re-arranging games around the FA Cup. They have still got Crystal Palace to reorganise. Bournemouth is scheduled to be on the FA Cup final weekend and the pile-up could be an issue.

But Villa on the final day will have nothing to play for and they potentially might have had the Europa League final a few days before. Forget it.

Arsenal have to beat Newcastle on Saturday - and those must-win games have been where their mentality has wobbled. I also think West Ham away will be tricky as the Hammers will be fighting for survival.

Man City:

Burnley (A) - 0-3

Everton (A) - 1-2

Brentford (H) - 3-1

Bournemouth (A) - 1-1

Crystal Palace (H) - 2-0

Aston Villa (H) - 2-0

Arsenal:

Newcastle (H) - 2-2

Fulham (H) - 2-0

West Ham (A) - 1-1

Burnley (H) - 3-1

Crystal Palace (A) - 1-1

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Manchester City might have the harder looking run in, but they also have all the momentum. And there is one massive difference between City and Arsenal: Pep Guardiola and his players know how to win a title. They know how to handle the heat down the home stretch.

Arsenal, on the other hand, don't. It's been that long since the London club were crowned champions of England, some of Mikel Arteta's stars were not even born.

There could be some more twists and turns as the season reaches its climax. But now City have control of their own destiny, it's difficult to see them slipping up.

This could well be Guardiola's last season in charge - and the Spaniard has no intention of leaving the Etihad without having tucked another title away.

Man City:

Burnley (A) - 4-0

Everton (A) - 1-0

Brentford (H) - 2-0

Bournemouth (A) - 2-1

Crystal Palace (H - 3-0

Aston Villa (H) - 2-1 Arsenal:

Newcastle (H) - 2-1

Fulham (H) - 2-0

West Ham (A) - 1-1

Burnley (H) - 3-0

Crystal Palace (A) - 2-0

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Arsenal were far from bad at the Etihad Stadium. They created more than enough chances to win but fine margins decided the game.

And it should be a similar theme when it comes to the title race between now and the end of the season. Pep Guardiola’s side have a relatively kind run to the end of the season and they should string together a number of wins.

They could potentially come unstuck against Bournemouth, who will be keen to round off the season positively under Andoni Iraola. And they’re the only points I can see them dropping.

It’s similar with Arsenal, who also have a relatively straight-forward run. Newcastle might cause an issue despite their tricky campaign, while it would not be a shock to see West Ham secure something as they attempt to secure their Premier League future.

That will see the title secured on goal difference and with the talent in attack that City have, it will be them that will be celebrating on May 24.

Man City:

Burnley (A) - 0-4

Everton (A) - 1-2

Brentford (H) - 2-0

Bournemouth (A) - 1-1

Crystal Palace (H) - 3-0

Aston Villa - (H) 2-1

Arsenal:

Newcastle (H) - 1-0

Fulham (H) - 3-1

West Ham (A) - 0-0

Burnley - (H) 3-0

Crystal Palace (A) - 1-2

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City got the win they needed on Sunday and history suggests, when they need to be perfect, they often are. I'd expect the same again, even if they have some challenging fixtures on the horizon. I actually don't think Guardiola needs to go and land six from six. That is because the Arsenal shake is real, even if they did perform well at the Etihad. They've been underwhelming recently but did produce one of their better showings in recent weeks. That could actually prove crushing, knowing they were good enough to win, only to get beat. The emotional impact of that could be telling. Arsenal will no doubt have eyes on City's away days at Everton and Bournemouth for hope. Similarly they will know that their next three games - Newcastle, Fulham and West Ham - are littered with danger.

Man City:

Burnley (A) - 0-4

Everton (A) - 0-1

Brentford (H) - 3-1

Bournemouth (A) - 0-1

Crystal Palace (H) - 4-1

Aston Villa - (H) 1-0

Arsenal:

Newcastle (H) - 2-0

Fulham (H) - 0-0

West Ham (A) - 1-2

Burnley - (H) 3-0

Crystal Palace (A) - 0-1

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