Arsenal and Manchester City continue to lock horns for the Premier League title. Both sides have, so far, put on a show for football fans across the globe but one will end the season in disappointment.
The Gunners continue to lead the way at the top of the table after 26 games with 63 points - five above Man City. However, both sides have 12 more games left to play. And as with every title race in the past, we're expected to be treated with further twists and turns.
Both teams continue to participate in their respective European competitions. Mikel Arteta, perhaps, holds an advantage in the title race with Pep Guardiola's goal of winning Man City their first-ever Champions League remaining after years of failure.
READ MORE: Arsenal's five toughest Premier League matches left as Man City battle continues
Arsenal are still to face a number of tough challenges between now and the end of the season, including a trip to Liverpool and Man City. But the fixture list is also not kind to Guardiola's men. With that in mind, football.london looks at the five toughest fixtures Arsenal's title rivals are still to face.
5. Crystal Palace (A) - March 11
While the trip to Selhurst Park may not be the toughest fixture on paper, City have partially struggled in the past against the south Londoners. Last season, Patrick Vieira's men were one of few sides to take points from the eventual champions - including a 2-0 win at the Etihad.
This fixture provides a sticky test for the Citizens. 5:30pm kick-off on TV, playing before Arsenal, against a team who are winless in 11 games. It's a recipe for a potential banana skin.
City have proved on a number of occasions that they can struggle against sides who come out all guns-blazing. Brentford, Southampton and Nottingham Forest have all created problems in recent months by taking advantage of missed chances. This game will be no different. It could also go the opposite direction.
4. Brighton (A) - April 23
The Seagulls have been one of the Premier League's surprise packages this season. Under Roberto De Zerbi, they could be on course to bring European football to the AMEX Stadium for the first time in club history.
Brighton have defeated the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal this season - and in some style. They remain in the FA Cup and are simply one of the most attractive teams to watch.
The trip down south falls three days before City welcome Arsenal to the Etihad Stadium, adding to the tough schedule facing Guardiola's side in April.
3. Chelsea (H) - May 20
Chelsea have been far from the Chelsea many have become accustomed to watching in previous years. Graham Potter has struggled to implement his ideas on the Blues squad since replacing Thomas Tuchel in September and currently sees his team positioned in mid-table.
However, Tuesday's 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund sealed their place in the Champions League quarter-finals to ease the pressure on Potter's shoulders. Should they manage to find some form of consistency between now and the end of the season, a surprise charge for the top four or European success could be on the cards.
City haven't suffered any issues against Chelsea in the two previous meetings this season. A 4-0 FA Cup win in January saw Guardiola's men at their best before a success at Stamford Bridge.
2. Liverpool (A) - April 1
When Liverpool were the victim of a 3-0 thumping of Wolves at the start of February, many had concluded that the Reds' season was over. But Jurgen Klopp's side have risen from the ashes to give themselves a chance of finishing in the top four.
Four wins in their previous five league games - including an historic 7-0 drubbing of Man United - has lifted them to only two points within Tottenham. Alongside City, they are the most in-form side in the division.
When Guardiola and Klopp have faced off in the last couple of seasons fireworks normally spark, but this time it's different. Liverpool are no longer challenging them for the title and City will be hoping to get through a trip to Anfield without little trouble.
1. Arsenal (H) - April 26
The game of the season awaits us on Wednesday, April 26. Arsenal have already suffered two defeats to their title rivals in 2023, but victory in Manchester could all-but hand them their first league title in nearly 20 years.
Of course, the title could be wrapped up by then but that's highly unlikely. So this fixture is destined to be decisive in who will lift the Premier League trophy at the end of May.
Guardiola has been here before and knows how to get through these tense battles. The Gunners have lost the last seven meetings against City and have not won at the Etihad since 2015. A first win in eight years could very well be that.
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