EPL: Arsenal or Man City – who will win the Premier League?

The title race took a fresh twist this past weekend as Arsenal lost and Manchester City won.

The two rivals meet on Monday (NZT) with Arsenal top by six points, but City have a game in hand. Before that season-defining match at the Etihad, Telegraph Sport’s football experts have their say on who will win the Premier League…

Manchester City

Although it has looked for so long that Arsenal will finally do it, I think Manchester City are the best team – especially with their January signings – with the best manager and with incredible momentum. They have so many match-winners. Arsenal’s rigidity, the way Mikel Arteta has them playing, his behaviour, the over-reaction of the fans and the anxiety around the club are all big factors that point to them again falling short. They look like a golfer with the yips, while City are hitting the sweet spot at the right time.

– Jason Burt, chief football correspondent

Manchester City

They have the best squad in the Premier League and they are much better placed to absorb injuries and fatigue than Arsenal. That seems to be catching up with Arteta’s players. They can no longer outrun opponents, especially in midfield. The Arsenal manager also does not seem to trust his understudies. For Pep Guardiola, there is just a much higher quality of player throughout the squad. City signed two of the best players in the Premier League in January. No surprise that they have gone on such a good run in the league.

– Sam Wallace, chief football writer

Arsenal

Arteta’s side are stumbling at the worst possible moment but they need only to avoid defeat by Manchester City to stay in the driving seat. They have the points on the board and remain in a really strong position. They just need to get over the mental block and play with freedom rather than anxiety. They have bounced back before this season and perhaps the Bournemouth defeat was their nadir.

– Luke Edwards, northern football writer

Manchester City

Arsenal have lost their momentum, confidence and legs. The physical toll of this season, combined with the obvious mental strain on the players, is now proving too much for Arteta’s team. Even if they earn a draw at Manchester City, can they really be trusted to survive all of their subsequent matches against lesser opposition? On the evidence of the last four games, the answer is no.

The hope for Arsenal is that the return to fitness of Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber will reinvigorate the entire group. That scenario is absolutely possible... but it feels increasingly unlikely.

– Sam Dean, football reporter

Manchester City

I have been saying for a couple of months City will win it and with each passing week the looks have become less quizzical. There is not a Premier League title race Guardiola has not yet won and I have always felt Arsenal’s scar tissue would show at some point. Equally, there comes a time when you are going to need more than set-pieces, but Arteta has dulled all the creativity in that Arsenal side. City have them where they want them and I expect them to see through the job from here.

– James Ducker, northern football correspondent

Manchester City

All is not lost for Arsenal, even if they lose to Manchester City next weekend. But the nature of their defeat by Bournemouth, the anxiety on the face of Arteta during and after the match, and their wobbles in the past, make me think City are going to claim the title.

– John Percy, Midlands football reporter

Arsenal

I am straw-clutching as Arsenal’s run-in looks harder, City have hit ominous form and beat them in the League Cup final. But the mood around the title race has shifted so decisively in City’s favour it makes me suspicious. Especially given how flaky City have been for much of the season. Most big teams who have been deprived of a title for as long as Arsenal make hard work of it and a draw on Sunday still leaves it in their hands.

– Thom Gibbs, senior sports writer

Manchester City

I really thought Arsenal were pretty much home and hosed after back-to-back victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. But, like most of the club’s fans, I am now having my doubts and City clearly smell blood. It is hard to make a case for Arsenal clinging on right now, but it’s also not impossible they go to City and get a result that keeps them in the driving seat. I am going to go for City as of today, but ask me again next week and my answer may well change once again.

– Matt Law, football news correspondent