15 games, 3 teams, 1 Premier League title – How Arsenal 5-0 Chelsea affects Liverpool

Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League with Tuesday’s 5-0 demolition of Chelsea at the Emirates.

Mikel Arteta’s men sit three points ahead of Liverpool and four points ahead of Manchester City, who have one and two games in hand on the north Londoners respectively.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the top-flight run-in and what promises to be a dramatic finale.

 

1. Arsenal

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, September 17, 2023: Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta (R) celebrates with captain Martin Ødegaard after the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC at Goodison Park. Arsenal won 1-0. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

• Played 34
• Points 77
• Goal difference 56

Fixtures: Tottenham (A), Bournemouth (H), Man United (A), Everton (H)

Arsenal have rediscovered their winning touch. The Gunners have picked up successive wins against Wolves and Chelsea, bouncing back from their Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich and their 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa earlier this month.

Their recent success has put the pressure on Manchester City to win their two games in hand and Arteta’s men face their biggest test this Sunday when they travel to rivals Tottenham.

The Gunners’ dominance has seen them accumulate an enviable goal difference of 56, which could make all the difference come the final day.

 

2. Liverpool

LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 21, 2024: Liverpool's Andy Robertson celebrates after the FA Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage. Liverpool won 3-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

• Played 33
• Points 74
• Goal difference 43

Fixtures: Everton (A), West Ham (A), Tottenham (H), Aston Villa (A), Wolves (H)

Reds boss Klopp is reliant on favours from elsewhere to enjoy a fairytale end to his nine-year Anfield reign following their shock home defeat by Crystal Palace.

Since then, Liverpool toppled Fulham at Craven Cottage with a 3-1 victory just days after they were dumped out of the Europa League by Atalanta.

Liverpool led the division for more than three months across two spells between Boxing Day and early April before losing momentum.

The 19-time English champions, who next play Everton in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, will need to beat Sean Dyche’s side if they are to keep their hopes alive of giving their manager the perfect send-off.

 

3. Man City

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 15, 2023: Manchester City's Jack Grealish during the FA Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Leicester City FC at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

• Played 32
• Points 73
• Goal difference 44

Run-in: Brighton (A), Nottingham Forest (A), Wolves (H), Fulham (A), Tottenham (A), West Ham (H)

In-form City are seeking to become champions for the fourth year in a row and are unbeaten since December, dropping just eight points from a possible 51 during that time.

Star striker Erling Haaland, who has been ruled out of their next match against Brighton due to injury, may not have hit the heights of his debut season but is still the division’s leading scorer, while Kevin De Bruyne’s return to fitness following an injury-hit spell has provided a timely boost.