Premier League talking points: Arsenal tighten grip, City lose their nerve, Man United find Fergie-time magic
MANCHESTER — Arsenal moved a step closer to ending a 22-year wait to win the Premier League title after a dream weekend for the Gunners extended their lead to six points.
A dominant 4-0 win over Leeds quelled talk of Mikel Arteta’s men wilting under the pressure of being title favourites, while Manchester City and Aston Villa dropped crucial points yesterday.
Behind the top three, the battle for a place in next season’s Champions League is hotting up as Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United all secured important wins.
AFP Sport looks at three talking points from the weekend’s action:
A first home defeat of the season against Manchester United last weekend sparked doubts about Arsenal’s ability to get over the line in the title race.
For the past three seasons they have finished second, twice blowing significant leads in the closing weeks of the season.
But this looks set to be their year, aided by the faltering form of the chasing pack.
The Gunners’ first league win in four games was built on familiar set-piece excellence as Martin Zubimendi’s header and a Karl Darlow own goal gave the visitors a 2-0 half-time lead at Elland Road on Saturday.
They also silenced criticism over a lack of goals from their forwards as Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Jesus struck in the second half.
“We really wanted to show how much we wanted it, and I think we’ve certainly done that,” said Arteta.
City, by contrast, remain a work in progress despite the huge sums spent to refresh Pep Guardiola’s side over the past year.
They should have cruised to victory at Tottenham with a 2-0 half-time lead and the home fans in open revolt.
But Dominic Solanke struck twice in the second half to secure a 2-2 draw that leaves City with just one league win from six games in 2026.
Villa surpassed expectations just to keep pace with the top two into February, but are seven points back after losing 1-0 at home to 10-man Brentford.
