Arsenal have effectively turned the tables on Manchester City in the Premier League title race, according to former England international Jamie Redknapp. The Gunners’ commanding 3-0 victory over Fulham not only widened their lead at the summit to six points but also gave them a four‑goal advantage on goal difference – 67 scored to City’s 66 – putting additional pressure on Pep Guardiola’s side to respond in their upcoming fixtures. Redknapp pointed out that City briefly reclaimed the top spot after beating Arsenal last month, but the London club have now secured back‑to‑back wins, meaning the onus is on the defending champions to deliver results in their next two league matches, beginning with an away clash against Everton on Monday Night Football.
“This Manchester City outfit can devastate opponents, but what Arsenal have done is flip the pressure onto them. Anything can still happen, but I think Arsenal are the favourites,” the Sky Sports pundit asserted. The Gunners’ three‑goal haul at Craven Cottage also stretched their goal‑difference edge over City to four, a margin that could prove decisive if the title is decided on that basis.
Redknapp believes Arsenal’s remaining league games – against West Ham United, Burnley and Crystal Palace – present a golden opportunity to cement their advantage. Meanwhile, City still have to face Everton, Brentford, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Aston Villa. He added, “For Manchester City, the Bournemouth match will be Andoni Iraola’s final home game, so there will be a celebration for them and Bournemouth will be eager to put on a show.” He also highlighted the difficulty of an away game at Everton under David Moyes and the challenge posed by Brentford, who are pushing for a European place.
“If it comes down to goal difference, I look at Arsenal’s fixtures as a big advantage. The Burnley game at home really stands out for me.
If both sides win all their remaining matches, Arsenal need to beat Burnley by a sizeable margin – 3‑0 or 4‑0 – to boost their goal difference. That’s a huge opportunity.” Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson echoed the sentiment, warning that if the Gunners secure victories in their final three league outings, City will find it extremely difficult to close the gap. “If Arsenal win their next three Premier League matches, Manchester City will have to pull up trees,” he said.
Merson noted that the FA Cup final against Chelsea on 16 May could further stretch City’s schedule, leaving them constantly playing catch‑up unless they achieve large‑margin wins at Everton and Brentford. He also suggested that a win against Aston Villa – a team already assured of a top‑five finish – could be pivotal for City’s goal‑difference battle.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed delight with his side’s performance, especially in the first half, but clarified that the win was not intended as a message to City. “It sends a message to our own dressing room that we keep the dream alive,” he told reporters.
In his post‑match press conference, Arteta praised the collective and individual displays, emphasizing the team’s aggressive start, lively attacking combinations and high‑press intensity. He highlighted the atmosphere created by the home crowd, noting that such support can unsettle opponents.
“We started the game the way we wanted – very aggressive and lively, with great attacking combinations and a high press. The crowd’s energy helped us, and we delivered a balanced performance despite missing a few players earlier in the season,” Arteta explained. He continued, “The boys showed authority, determination and composure. We brought a lot of energy to the stadium and they responded brilliantly.
It was the type of game we expected, and it was a big win for us.” Looking ahead, Arsenal’s schedule includes a trip to West Ham, a home fixture against Burnley and an away game at Crystal Palace. Each of these matches offers a chance to add to their points tally and further improve their goal difference, which could become the decisive factor if City manage to stay close on points.
Conversely, City must navigate a congested run of games, including a potentially festive atmosphere at Bournemouth and a tough away test at Everton, before tackling Brentford, Palace, Bournemouth again and finally Aston Villa. In summary, the latest results have shifted the psychological balance of the title race.
Arsenal’s dominant win over Fulham has not only widened the points gap but also placed Manchester City under increased scrutiny as they attempt to recover lost ground. The next few weeks will be crucial for both clubs, with every goal and every point carrying heightened significance in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the Premier League season.