Mikel Arteta makes prediction over Man City dropping points in title race | Football

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has not given up on Manchester City dropping points, hoping with his ‘heart and soul’ the champions will stumble in the Premier League title race.

Since defeat to Aston Villa in April, the Gunners have reeled off three straight wins in the league to keep them top, one point clear of Pep Guardiola’s side. City, however, have one game in hand.

It means Guardiola’s side have their fate in their own hands and will be champions again if they win their remaining four games against Wolves, Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham.

Arsenal can keep the pressure on by beating Bournemouth in Saturday’s early kick-off and Arteta stressed there are still ‘a lot of points to play’ for during the final run in.

‘In my heart and in my soul… this is what I am hoping for, yes,’ Arteta told reporters when asked if City will drop points.

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‘You know what is going on [with my emotions]. You just want to win and to win you need others to drop points and you are hoping for that to happen.

‘And then [after City win] you have to manage your emotion, because it doesn’t matter what happens on that day.

‘There are still a lot of games and points to play for. You are going to have to perform, prepare and win the next match in order to maintain that momentum. This is what we are trying to do.’

City however have so often been at their ruthless best in the final run-ins,’ something Arteta is acutely aware of.

‘When you look at what they have done in the last seven, eight years and the amount of points you have to have [to compete with them]; those sequences and those kinds of momentums to reach that amount of points. So it’s not a surprise.’

Following Saturday’s game against Bournemouth, Arsenal head to Manchester United where Erik ten Hag’s side could effectively hand the title to their neighbours if they deny the Gunners a win on the road.

Arsenal end their season at home to Everon on 19 May.

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