Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta declared 'It's a new league now' after his side's defeat to Manchester City on Sunday. Now, with City's 1-0 win over Burnley on Wednesday, both teams sit level on 70 points and a +37 goal difference, but City lead on goals scored with five matches remaining. After 209 days atop the table, Arsenal's grip has slipped.
Wayne Rooney, who experienced the 2011-12 title decided on goal difference, urged Arsenal to adopt a more aggressive mindset. 'They've been trying to nick 1-0 wins, but they need to change that and go at teams by three or four goals,' he said.
Arsenal have relied on narrow victories, with 10 of their 21 Premier League wins coming by a single goal—48%, the highest rate for a potential champion since Leicester's 61% in 2016. Historically, title winners average 10.7 one-goal wins, so it's not unprecedented. But recent form—only six wins in 13 league games—has handed momentum to Pep Guardiola's side.
Kai Havertz started over Viktor Gyokeres against City, offering hold-up play but missing two key chances. Arteta insists 'everything is still to play for,' but unleashing his attackers may be the key to reclaiming the title.