Arsenal's Premier League title hopes currently hinge on other teams as their lead at the top of the table has been dashed in recent weeks. A run of poor form started with a 2-2 draw away at Liverpool, where a two-goal lead was let slip in a tricky test at Anfield.
That was followed up with a similar scenario at the London Stadium as a two-goal lead against West Ham was dropped after Bukayo Saka's missed penalty and the game ended at 2-2. That run of consecutive draws was followed up with yet another against relegation strugglers Southampton.
The Gunners were 3-1 down going into the final few minutes, with two goals late on earning a draw, but the title was hanging in the balance. Mikel Arteta had the tough task of returning to winning ways against Manchester City, but a 4-1 defeat meant that the race was out of their hands.
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A win for City at the weekend against Fulham saw them move to the top of the table, holding a two-point lead with an extra game in hand. It now means that Arsenal are relying on other teams to help put the title race back into their hands in their final few matches of the season.
However, the Gunners may have been handed a boost from an unlikely source during the week. Reports claim that Sam Allardyce is set to take interim charge of Leeds United to help boost their survival hopes, replacing Javi Gracia after a poor run of form.
Allardyce is set to take over in time for Leeds' clash with Manchester City, which is anything but an easy game to start off with. It could be the sort of game that takes over a shock result, given the introduction of a new manager and the bounce that is often associated with it.
A similar thing happened to Arsenal themselves a few months back, facing Sean Dyche's first match in charge of Everton at Goodison Park. The Toffees were like a side transformed under their new coach and it appeared that whoever faced them that day would've been handed a defeat.
The Gunners will be hoping Allardyce has the same impact upon his return to management with Leeds to give a slight boost to their title hopes.
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