Arsenal don’t play until Thursday night, but the Gunners’ lead in the title race could change on Wednesday evening as Manchester City face Fulham.
Man City’s win over Liverpool at Anfield sparked title race talk, as Pep Guardiola’s side went from being six points behind Arsenal to being six points behind Arsenal.
Despite nothing changing, the talk is frustrating for the Gunners, but all Mikel Arteta’s players can do is respond on the pitch by maintaining their lead.
That being said, Fulham’s trip to the Etihad on Wednesday night will generate attention in the Arsenal squad, as if City win, the gap at the top will be reduced to three points.
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Arsenal will be wary of Fulham’s record against Man City
If City were to win, Arsenal could send an instant response against Brentford on Thursday night, but pressure would naturally rise.
The good news for Arsenal is that whether or not City win, their lead at the top is in their control; the bad news is, even Fulham aren’t confident of their chances at the Etihad.
In Marco Silva’s pre-match press conference, the Fulham manager addressed the Cottagers’ abysmal record against Man City.
“It’s very bad, not just Fulham, myself as well,” he said.
Silva is right, the record is ‘very bad’, as Fulham have gone 16 successive Premier League matches without earning a single point against Man City.
The Portuguese coach hasn’t thrown in the towel, however.
“It’s a bad record, definitely; the facts are there. But, every time you play, is another chance for you to change it, simple as that.”
Putting the record aside, there’s reason for Fulham to be confident heading into the fixture, as they scored four goals against City in December during a dramatic 4-5 defeat at Craven Cottage.
Pep Guardiola is feeling the title race pressure
Arsenal will be asking a favour of their former Gunners at Fulham: Alex Iwobi, Emile Smith Rowe and Bernd Leno.
The media have put a lot of pressure on Arsenal in the title race because of Man City, but Guardiola has been feeling it too.
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Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Man City boss emphasised how quickly narratives change in the title race, something Arsenal know all too well.
“Every time in the last month and last weeks when I go before the games in a flash interview, always if you lose you are losing everything and you are going to disappear from Planet Earth and this kind of stuff.”
Guardiola has withstood pressure before, with six Premier League titles to his name, but Arteta hasn’t, making the current title-race position all the more thrilling.
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