Draw required or will Arsenal win Premier League title regardless? Joe Cole and Owen Hargreaves debate Manchester City showdown

React to this story

Owen Hargreaves believes Arsenal still have what it takes to pip rivals Manchester City to the Premier League title - provided they claim a result at the Etihad this weekend.

‘Forget everything else’ - Hargreaves and Cole warn Arsenal defeat vs Man City spells 'trouble'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Arsenal make the trip to Manchester on Sunday afternoon in a decisive title clash.

The Gunners hold a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table but crashed to a 2-1 home defeat to Bournemouth last weekend.

The loss presented rivals City with the chance to close the gap on Mikel Arteta's men, and they duly obliged as they claimed a 3-0 win at Chelsea.

Transfers

Vinicius decision 'imminent', Barcola's Liverpool contract 'agreed' - Euro Transfer News

an hour ago

Arsenal lost the EFL Cup final to Pep Guardiola's side last month, and followed up their 2-0 Wembley reverse with a 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Championship side Southampton.

And in the business end of the campaign, Arteta's side are struggling to get over the line as they look to end their 21-year wait for the Premier League title.

Defeat on Sunday will see City close the gap at the top to just three points with a game in hand.

‘We need to win’ - Arteta targets victory in Premier League title showdown with Man City

Video credit: SNTV

Speaking ahead of Brentford's welcome of Fulham - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max - TNT Sports expert Hargreaves backed The Gunners to pip City to the post if they can claim a result on Sunday.

"Forget everything else except this game," Hargreaves began on Saturday. "If Arsenal lose, they're in trouble.

"I don't think they can afford to lose. If they get a draw, they win the league."

"Maybe that Bournemouth game was a blessing for them," he added. "They got so outplayed, they were so poor.

"And maybe it's like: 'Guys, we can't play like that again. If we're going to lose, we're going to go down swinging'.

"So, I think in that sense, they'll go there, and I think they'll be different from the first minute.

Keown: Arsenal 'have to wake up' ahead of crucial City clash

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I think they'll be aggressive, but be a little bit more physical and be a little bit braver on the ball.

"But I think if they can get a draw there, I think they'll win [the league].

"All the other games, they figure themselves out. If City win, they'll be thinking: 'Game on'."

'They looked like title winners'

TNT Sports expert Joe Cole has a little more faith in Arsenal regardless of the result at the Etihad Stadium, however.

"I think they're going to get over the line regardless of what happens tomorrow," Cole stated.

"I would maybe reinvestigate that prediction if Manchester City do win, but I've stuck with Arsenal since I watched them lose to Liverpool, and they were brilliant earlier on in the season.

"They looked like title winners. I think they'll pull something out of the bag."

'If we lose, it's over' - Guardiola on potential title-defining clash against Arsenal

Video credit: SNTV

Comparing the remaining fixtures of the two teams, Cole continued: "I don't think Manchester City are going to win every game, and I don't think Arsenal are going to win every game."

TNT Sports reporter Jules Breach questioned where either side will "slip up" in the coming weeks, to which Cole replied: "You never know. Who can have seen Leeds beating Manchester United, the form that they've been in.

"Everton away is a tough game for Manchester City. Bournemouth away is a tough game. Brentford at home are a handful for anyone.

"They could drop points anyway, and it's the same with Arsenal. West Ham away is a tough game.

"We've got to get used to the fact we're looking at Premier League games, particularly this season, and it's not like: 'Arsenal win there. Manchester City win there'. Anything can happen this season."

Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and HBO Max

Transfers