What Manchester City and Arsenal need to do to win the Premier League as title battle goes to the final weekend

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Premier League title race will go down to the final weekend. 

Last weekend’s scores meant that Manchester City and Arsenal’s battle to be crowned champions would go the distance, but Erling Haaland’s double for City at Tottenham on Tuesday evening means that Pep Guardiola’s men hold the advantage going into the final fixtures. 

City are aiming for a sixth title in seven years to continue their period of modern-day dominance under Guardiola, while his former assistant Mikel Arteta is looking to deliver a first Gunners title since the Invincibles conquered all in 2003/04. 

Here is a look at the final-day permutations. 

What Manchester City must do to win the title

Pep Guardiola celebrates Manchester City's win over Newcastle United

Pep Guardiola is shooting for a fourth successive title (Image credit: Getty Images)

This one is simple. Manchester City will win a historic fourth consecutive Premier League title if they beat West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 

Their two-point buffer over Arsenal going into the final fixtures means that the Citizens have matters in their own hands. 

City will also be crowned champions should Arsenal drop points at home to Everton.

What Arsenal must do to win the title

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reacts during the English Premier League football match between Luton Town and Arsenal at Kenilworth Road in Luton, north of London on December 5, 2023.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could bring home a first title in two decades (Image credit: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

While City head into the final weekend as masters of their own destiny, Arsenal do have a chance to win their first Premier League title for 20 years this weekend. 

Firstly, Arsenal must beat Everton at the Emirates Stadium to stand any chance of overhauling City. Should they do that, all eyes will be on the score 200 miles up the road. 

If City lose to West Ham in David Moyes’ Hammers farewell, then Arsenal will be the Premier League champions with a win. 

And if City are only able to draw with the Irons, an Arsenal win would see them pip Guardiola’s men on goal difference, as the Gunners head into the season finale with a goal difference of plus-61, one better than City. 

When do the final matches take place?

As is the norm, the final set of fixtures all kick off at the same time so that no team will have the advantage of knowing another result in advance. 

The games will all therefore kick off at 4pm on Sunday, May 19, so by 6pm we should know if City have made history or if Arsenal have ended their trophy drought. 

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Joe Mewis

For more than a decade Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor, with stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others. He is the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team.