Arsenal eye title boost as Premier League race enters decisive stretch

LONDON: Arsenal have the chance to tighten their grip on the Premier League title race before Manchester City play again, with the season moving into its closing phase.

The league leaders are expected to face relegated Burnley on Monday and could move five points clear of second-placed City. Pep Guardiola's side are due to visit Bournemouth the following day.

Despite City's 14-match unbeaten run in the league, Arsenal remain in front. City looked to have gained momentum after defeating Arsenal last month, but their 3-3 draw at Everton last week may yet prove costly in the title contest.

Guardiola said his team can only keep themselves in contention and wait for Arsenal to drop points. City are two points behind with two matches remaining, while also holding a slightly superior goal difference and having scored seven more goals.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the 2-1 loss to City had served as a turning point for his side, who have since won their last three league games without conceding.

We used that as fuel to be even more convinced and to understand that what we've done up to now is fine, let's learn every bit of it

Arsenal are now aiming to move to the verge of a first Premier League title since 2004.

Relegation fight remains tense

At the other end of the table, Tottenham and West Ham are still locked in a struggle to stay up. Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi said he believes the fight to avoid relegation will go down to the final day, despite an improvement in his side's recent results.

Tottenham appeared set to beat Leeds earlier this week, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw after relying on goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky's late save. They remain just above the bottom three, holding a two-point advantage over 18th-placed West Ham.

That gap could disappear before Tottenham next play. If West Ham defeat Newcastle on Sunday, Tottenham would begin Tuesday's match at Chelsea back in the relegation zone.

West Ham, managed by Nuno Espirito Santo, were denied a stoppage-time equaliser in last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Arsenal after the goal was disallowed. Midfielder Mateus Fernandes said the team would draw encouragement from that display.

We can do it

There are still games to play and points to take and we need to believe until the end.

European race still open

The contest for Champions League places also remains active. Aston Villa's home match against Liverpool on Friday could have major implications for several clubs chasing qualification.

Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United have already secured places in Europe's top club competition. Liverpool, in fourth, and Villa, in fifth, are currently on course to claim the remaining two spots.

Both sides are four points ahead of sixth-placed Bournemouth with only six points left to play for. However, the team finishing sixth would also qualify for the Champions League if Villa beat Freiburg in next week's Europa League final and end the Premier League season in fifth place.

Bournemouth, Brighton in seventh and Brentford in eighth are all still hoping to reach the Champions League for the first time.