AGENCIES

Arsenal can reclaim the Premier League summit this weekend when they host Newcastle United as in-form Manchester City focus on the FA Cup.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have watched their imposing nine-point lead vanish quickly, with City currently top on goals scored.

The Gunners are at risk of losing three straight top-flight games for the first time in four years, a fate that befell Newcastle in last weekend’s home horror show against Bournemouth.

City’s FA Cup commitments this weekend means that Arsenal only need a point against Newcastle to reclaim first place, but the form book suggests that will be easier said than done for Mikel Arteta.

Coming up short in the highly-anticipated blockbuster with Man City, Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat saw the Gunners lose four domestic games in a row for the first time since Arsene Wenger’s farewell season in 2017-18, as the inevitable ‘bottle’ accusations grow louder by the week.

Mikel Arteta’s men also also have a Champions League semifinal with Atletico Madrid to look forward to next week.

Arsenal’s last chance

City and Arsenal are locked together on 70 points, with five games left. Both teams have a plus-37 goal difference.

Two things separate the teams -- the number of goals scored and experience of getting over the line.

City, who have netted three more times than Arsenal, have never failed to go on and win the title having led after 33 games or more in the Premier League.

The Gunners, who lost 2-1 at the Etihad last weekend, can return to the top with a win or a draw at home to Newcastle, with City taking on Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals.

The following week, Mikel Arteta’s men play first, meaning they could be six points clear before City face Everton on May 4.

Perennial runners-up Arsenal, who have the easier run-in on paper, must shrug off their recent collapse and put the pressure back on City.

The Citizens, currently topping the table for the first time since August, are favourites but it is not over yet.