Arsenal face a huge remaining 12 games of their Premier League season to get themselves over the line and win the title for the first time in years. In those final few matches, there will be plenty of twists and turns ahead along with the usual drama that comes with such a high-stakes honour.
The Gunners have a two-point lead over their nearest rivals Manchester City, though they can extend that to five if they win their game in hand against Fulham on Sunday. While that may seem simple on paper, Mikel Arteta has asked for his players to tighten up defensively if they are to have any chance.
"Some positives because we showed a lot of resilience to get back in the game," The Spaniard said after a 2-2 draw with Sporting CP in the Europa League on Thursday. "But we need to defend our box much better and be better on Sunday [against Fulham]."
READ MORE: Gabriel Jesus injury return plan revealed as Arsenal make late change to prepare for Fulham
With the back end of the season on the horizon, things currently stay in Arsenal's hands, though that may not be the case if they fail to win their games. With a clash with their title rivals in a few weeks, the Gunners have been told just how many points they may need to win the league.
During Sky Sports' coverage of Crystal Palace vs Manchester City, there was a point made that on average City manage to earn 2.42 points in their final 11 games of the season. If they were to repeat that, it would mean the side would pick up 27 from the remaining 33 points available to them and a final points total of 88.
Arsenal would then need to pick up another 29 points from the final 36 available to them to ensure victory, a near-perfect run to the end of the campaign. It's that gap that has led former Man City defender Micah Richards to believe that a perfect run of wins until the final game may be the only way Pep Guardiola's side can win the division.
He said on Sky Sports: "I think they[Man City] do [need a perfect run]. Arsenal, we alluded to it before, they’ve got newfound confidence within the squad, they’re hungry and got players in form, but you’ve always got in the back of your mind that Man City have done it before.
"In terms of Manchester City they normally go on a run in December and January, around that time, obviously we’ve had the World Cup in between so a lot of fitness is at different stages for the players and it’s whoever can get that run together. Obviously, because they’ve done it before people are expecting Man City to roll teams over but this season feels a little bit different.
"Everyone’s taking points - you see what Liverpool did to Man United then they go and lose at Bournemouth, Man City beat Arsenal at their place to go top of the Premier League then Arsenal had a game in hand so things are constantly changing. Everyone thought Arsenal would buckle after that but they didn’t so if I was a betting man I’d say City because they’ve done it before, but on form and how Arsenal have reacted I think they’re going all the way."
READ NEXT:
Latest Arsenal injury news as four face late Fulham test amid Gabriel Jesus plan
Vieira’s uphill test, Zinchenko’s kryptonite - Arsenal winners and losers from Sporting CP draw
Mikel Arteta told Arsenal star can't be trusted after Europa League last-16 draw vs Sporting
What Mikel Arteta shouted at Ben White as Fabio Vieira Arsenal prediction close to coming true
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
