Is the Premier League title race over?

After matchday 30 of the 2025-2026 Premier League, Arsenal extended their lead over second-placed Manchester City to 9 points. Despite having played one more game than their rivals, the gap is widening, and the title is widely expected to go to the "Gunners".

Arsenal holds a significant advantage in the Premier League title race - Photo: AP

The match against Everton on the morning of March 15th showed a completely different Arsenal compared to previous seasons.

The courage to speak up

Despite being the favorites and playing at their home ground, Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta's team ran into Everton's deep and highly disciplined defense.

In the past, such stalemate situations often made Arsenal players impatient, leading to individual mistakes and bitter dropped points. However, the current Arsenal team has matured. They patiently control the ball, maintain suffocating pressure, and relentlessly penetrate the opponent's defense until the very last minute.

The reward came when Viktor Gyokeres scored at the right moment in the 89th minute. And then 16-year-old prodigy Max Dowman sealed the 2-0 victory in the 90+7th minute. Arsenal currently possesses the perfect combination of the character of seasoned stars and the burning desire of youth.

Conversely, the 1-1 draw against West Ham was a major blow to Pep Guardiola's team's ambitions of winning the title. Against an opponent in the relegation battle, Man City displayed breathtaking dominance.

However, that dominance became meaningless due to poor finishing. This lackluster draw further diminishes Man City's chances of winning the championship. The image of Erling Haaland helpless, frustrated, and dejected after the final whistle is proof of the deadlock faced by the blue half of Manchester.

Is there still a chance for Man City?

With a nine-point deficit (61 compared to 70), and a game in hand, Man City have pushed themselves into a corner. In a tough league like the Premier League, no one dares to rule out Pep Guardiola's team until the final whistle. But clearly, the power to decide their own fate has now left the Etihad Stadium.

Man City's biggest problem isn't just the points they've earned, but the immense psychological pressure weighing on their every move, coupled with a daunting schedule ahead. The next five matches present an enormous challenge for Man City.

Immediately after the international break, they had to travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, who needed points to compete for a top-five spot. This was followed by risky away trips against Burnley and Everton – two teams fighting tooth and nail to avoid relegation.

The focus of the entire season will undoubtedly be on April 19th, when Man City clash directly with Arsenal at the Etihad. This is the "final" of the tournament, and Man City absolutely must win if they want to keep their hopes of overtaking them alive. Conversely, the points advantage allows manager Mikel Arteta to approach this crucial match with the relaxed attitude of a league leader.

A draw at the Etihad would be nothing short of a resounding victory for the Gunners. Arsenal's schedule for this crucial match is relatively easy, with three of their five games played at the Emirates (against Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Fulham). Their remaining away game is against a struggling West Ham side.

Man City still have a chance to compete for the title, but Arsenal this season holds many advantages. Arteta's team has shed its former fragile image to become a tough, calculated unit. If they hold firm through April, especially avoiding defeat at the Etihad, the day the Premier League trophy returns to Arsenal's trophy room after 22 years will not be far off.

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THANH DINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cuoc-dua-vo-dich-premier-league-nga-ngu-20260316085950132.htm