These Five Crucial Gameweeks Will Crown the Premier League Champion

Following their failure to capitalize on the opportunity to put this Premier League title contest to bed, Arsenal's advantage has been reduced to just four points.

Matheus Cunha's brilliant long-range effort was cheered throughout Manchester and the West Midlands, as Michael Carrick's resurgent Red Devils claimed a 3–2 triumph at an anxious Emirates Stadium to give hope to the Gunners' closest competitors at the top.

Arsenal's stumble has fans fearing the worst, precisely when it appeared Mikel Arteta's team would cruise to their first championship since their invincible 2003–04 season. All of a sudden, every fixture feels crucial in determining the hierarchy at the division's peak.

These are the matchdays that might determine the Premier League championship battle.

Gameweek 27

Gameweek 27

Arsenal face a challenging period ahead over the coming fortnight, with trips to Leeds United and Brentford far from guaranteed victories. The weaknesses that have been evident in recent performances, particularly their struggle and reluctance to generate chances through open play, will surely be exploited by teams capable of matching Arteta's squad physically.

Local rivalries are set to significantly influence this season's championship race, and Tottenham Hotspur might well be playing simply to derail their greatest rivals' title ambitions. They've begun another disappointing Premier League season, this time under Thomas Frank's guidance, and the Danish manager could be dismissed before Arsenal's visit to N17 in Gameweek 27.

Spurs are dreadful at home, and Arsenal have triumphed in each of their last three journeys to Seven Sisters Road. The table-toppers also demolished their neighbors in the earlier meeting, with the typically subdued Eberechi Eze scoring a treble in a 4–1 thrashing.

The match is certain to be nerve-wracking, with the Lilywhites, possibly energized by new tactical approaches in the home technical area, eager to assist City and Villa. Both challengers play before the North London Derby begins, with City hosting Newcastle United at the Etihad, while Villa entertain the improving Leeds.

Gameweek 28

Gameweek 28

Another local clash follows the next week, with Unai Emery's Villa starting Gameweek 28 on Friday evening at Molineux.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are progressing under Rob Edwards—they're more resilient, at least—but there's already resignation that they'll be competing in the Championship next campaign. Therefore, like Spurs, Wolves will be even more determined to obstruct the dreams of a hated rival.

Boubacar Kamara's distance effort made the difference in their earlier encounter at the beginning of Edwards' tenure in what was a fiercely fought match. Emery's surprising title contenders will want to navigate this potential pitfall, and victory under the floodlights will allow them to relax during the weekend's fixtures.

There's scope for mistakes elsewhere, as City travel to Leeds on Saturday evening and Arsenal welcome Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. The Citizens have struggled away from home this campaign, and a physical Leeds side are sure to cause them problems before a passionate crowd.

Arsenal, meanwhile, remain undefeated against the Blues since 2021, but Liam Rosenior's tenure has begun promisingly.

Gameweek 33

Gameweek 33

Although past evidence indicates that Premier League championship battles are rarely settled by direct encounters between the division's leading two teams, there's no questioning that the most important remaining fixture this season comes in Gameweek 33.

In mid-April, Arsenal travel to the stadium of the former serial winners, possibly with the opportunity to extend their lead at the top.

The Gunners have wasted earlier chances to make a statement at the Etihad, with the two recent meetings in Manchester both ending level. During the 2023–24 finale, a defensive Arsenal strategy helped secure a scoreless stalemate, then a John Stones goal in stoppage time earned City a draw at the beginning of last season.

City barely held on for a point in the return match, defending deeply in an attempt to neutralize Arteta's team in a way we've rarely witnessed from a Guardiola-coached side. The Citizens have endured a disappointing start to the new year, but the signings of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guéhi could prove crucial in swinging the championship race their way. Guardiola should also have several defenders returning from injury shortly.

Arsenal might find themselves in a situation where a draw suffices, but they could also have the opportunity to completely eliminate their most probable challengers on enemy ground.

Villa will be observing and watching the drama develop, most probably after they've hosted Sunderland at Villa Park.

Gameweek 37

Gameweek 37

Liverpool have begun one of the most underwhelming championship defenses in Premier League history. Arne Slot's team were anticipated by many to keep their crown following a record-breaking summer, but the Reds are instead battling to secure qualification for next season's Champions League.

There's a possibility Slot won't survive until the campaign's conclusion on Merseyside, which would represent a stunning reversal from this point 12 months ago.

Nevertheless, Liverpool might still influence this championship race. They'll host City at Anfield on Feb. 8, and travel to Aston Villa in the second-to-last gameweek of the season.

Considering their limited squad depth and the possibility of an extended Europa League campaign, if Emery's Villa remain in title contention when Liverpool arrive, the Spaniard deserves recognition as a miracle-worker. However, many anticipated Villa would be eliminated from consideration by now. You cannot entirely dismiss them.

Arsenal fans will hope their lead is insurmountable by mid-May, but the Gunners are unlikely to stroll to victory, given their recent setback. It's destined to be a battle until the finish, and they'll face the potentially already-relegated Burnley in their final home match of 2025–26.

City conclude their away fixtures at Bournemouth, where they suffered their inaugural defeat last season.

Gameweek 38

Gameweek 38

Maybe Arsenal's stumble is actually the beginning of a meltdown, and they drop behind the two challengers. Despite their individual shortcomings, City and Aston Villa rapidly overcome their four-point disadvantage against the current leaders, transforming the championship race into a head-to-head battle that nobody predicted before the season.

Should this situation unfold, there's a chance of a decisive final-day confrontation.

As they did to conclude 2021–22, City host Villa at the Etihad with the championship at stake. This time, however, the visitors have the opportunity to claim everything themselves. On that previous occasion, Steven Gerrard and Philippe Coutinho were trying to deliver the trophy to their former club, Liverpool, and they certainly made a strong attempt.

Only ten times has the Premier League championship been settled on the final day, and there hasn't been a dramatic late reversal since Arsenal memorably won 2–0 at Anfield to end the 1988–89 campaign.

The Gunners are at Crystal Palace on the concluding day, potentially devastated... or with the championship already secured.