Arsenal have lost 2-1 to AFC Bournemouth at the weekend and with it, any cushion they had built at the top of the Premier League table. Mikel Arteta's side had the opportunity to stretch their lead to 12 points. Instead, a third consecutive domestic defeat has handed momentum straight back to Manchester City, who now hold multiple games in hand and are firmly back in control of the title race. For all those Indian football fans who are following the Premier League closely, this is the kind of collapse that changes a season entirely and Arsenal have been here before.
From Quadruple Contenders To A Collapsing Lead
Not so long ago, we all know Arsenal were being spoken about as genuine quadruple contenders. That conversation is now pretty much over. The Gunners have already lost the League Cup final to City and been knocked out of the FA Cup by Southampton. Three defeats in their last four matches have turned what looked like a commanding title charge into something far more fragile. The Premier League title has not come to the Emirates since 2004 and Saturday's result made that wait feel very present again. Arteta did not dress it up after the final whistle. "It's a big punch in the face," he said. "Now it's about how we react to that." He also acknowledged the mental weight the club's long trophy drought carries into these moments- "We know what is at stake… and the fact that as a club we haven't done it for so long is a reason for that." Six games remain. The margin for error is now gone.
All Roads Lead To Arsenal vs City
On the other hand, City's schedule over the coming days could define the entire season. They face Chelsea away first, followed by a direct showdown against Arsenal next weekend. That fixture now carries the weight of a title decider. If City win both, the race is effectively over. If Arsenal can beat City at home, they drag themselves back into it. There is no middle ground left. Apart from that, the rest of the weekend's Premier League action had its own talking points. Liverpool beat Fulham 2-0 to strengthen their Champions League position and ease some of the pressure building around Arne Slot. Furthermore, Brentford and Everton played out a 2-2 draw, with Igor Thiago scoring twice for Brentford, a result that moves him to within one goal of Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race. That subplot is worth watching as the season enters its final stretch. Brighton beat Burnley 2-0, with Mats Wieffer scoring twice to give the Seagulls a comfortable afternoon. For now though, the weekend belongs to one story. Arsenal had the title in their hands. Bournemouth took it out of them. City will not need a second invitation.