How Man City can go top in ELEVEN days after massive Arsenal slip up

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Arsenal kicked off against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon knowing that a victory would send them 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League table. They ended the match contemplating a complete momentum shift in the title race.

Alex Scott's brilliant goal at the Emirates Stadium gave Bournemouth a 2-1 win and put a cat amongst the pigeons at the top of the table. Arsenal looked disjointed and struggled to muster much pressure on the Cherries' goal.

Their goal came from a Viktor Gyokeres penalty after a handball and there was little for Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic to do. Arsenal still have a nine-point lead over Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola's side have two games in hand - and, crucially, face Arsenal next weekend.

It potentially means a huge change of fortunes for Mikel Arteta's side. City travel to west London to play Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday needing a win to keep the pressure on. Victory at Stamford Bridge would set up next Sunday's match at the Etihad Stadium perfectly.

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Wins over Chelsea and Arsenal would bring the gap down to three points, and the fact that City then play Burnley on April 22 - before Arsenal host Newcastle on April 25 - could mean that Guardiola's side overtake Arsenal, provided they close the gap in goal difference. Arsenal currently sit on +38, six better than City's +32.

Arteta did not try and hide his emotions. "Disappointing. It's a big punch in the face and it's about how we react now," he told TNT Sports. "They are a team who haven't lost for 11 games for a reason, they did a lot right.

"We were far from efficient. The first chance they had to attack the box, it's a deflection, a bad defending action and it's a goal. That's something we have to recover from. The second half you expect a different game. We did a lot of strange things today. We have been very consistent. This can happen, this is football."

Arsenal's remaining league fixtures

Man City (A) - April 19

Newcastle (H) - April 25

Fulham (H) - May 2

West Ham (A) - May 10

Burnley (H) - May 17

Crystal Palace (A) - May 24

Manchester City's remaining league fixtures

Chelsea (A) - April 12

Arsenal (H) - April 19

Burnley (A) - April 22

Everton (A) - May 4

Brentford (H) - May 9

Bournemouth (A) - May 17

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Asked if his players were hurting, he replied: "A lot. It has to hurt. They have to take it on the chin. You stand up and go for the fight or you're out. It's a big week. A lot at stake. We're still in a good position in both competitions."

"This is a huge disappointment," Arsenal title-winner Martin Keown said on TNT Sports. "Bournemouth were Magnificent but how many times have we been saying that now? Southampton were magnificent last week. You have to be better than you were today.

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" Bournemouth pressed exceptionally well, but it's about sticking together, and you are going to have to, they have a huge game in the midweek, and everyone is going to be writing you off now. Will that change the mentality of the players? The pressure today was too much at times, and we’re lacking energy.

"Now people have to stand up. Personalities have to come forward. Leaders need to emerge. It’s still in your hands because you play Manchester City in the Premier League . You do have a Champions League game midweek though, and you need to make sure that the wheels do not come off."

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