Arsenal and Clarets fans hoped for Alisson Becker vs. West Bromwich Albion 2.0 as Martin Dubravka went up for a last-minute corner in Burnley vs. Manchester City on Wednesday night, while Sky Blues fans looked on in agony.
Scott Parker’s team was unable to learn from Nicolas Jover’s set-piece strategy, though, as Man City’s nerve-wracking 1-0 victory returned the Citizens to the top of the standings, although solely due to a higher goal total.
Arsenal simply needs a point against Newcastle to retake first position due to City’s FA Cup obligations this weekend, but the form book indicates that will be difficult for Mikel Arteta, who had an unfortunate start that Unai Emery never had last weekend.
Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Man City in the eagerly awaited blockbuster saw the Gunners lose four straight domestic games for the first time since Arsene Wenger’s final season in 2017–18, as the unavoidable “bottle” accusations get louder every week.
The hosts, who also have a Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid to look forward to next week, have cut fatigued numbers in recent weeks, but there wasn’t anything wrong with the performance at the Etihad, where Pep Guardiola’s team’s individual talent was evident.
Goners may not find much solace in Arsenal’s generally good performance while April is still on the calendar, though, as the Gunners’ points-per-game ratio under Arteta in this particular month, which was already a club worst now stands at a pitiful 1.48.
With five games left, Eddie Howe’s team is not even mathematically safe, while Newcastle, who are experiencing their own share of springtime melancholy, have much more modest goals for the rest of the season.
The Magpies, who were predicted to win the championship when the Saudi-backed acquisition was completed in late 2021, are currently at their lowest point since the new owners took office. They have lost four straight games in all competitions and three straight in the top division.
Following Bournemouth’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle the previous week, which put Howe’s team 14th in the rankings and 11 points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in 18th place with 12 games remaining, St. James’ Park erupted in jeers once more.
No team has lost more top-flight games since January 25 than the Magpies, who have an ugly eight losses from their last 11 Premier League games. Howe will allegedly have to account to PIF chiefs during a crucial meeting next week.
The Magpies haven’t won any of their last 13 away league games against Arsenal, who may complete the double against Newcastle for the first time since 2020–21 after September’s thrilling victory, although a victory at the Emirates could somewhat change the schedule for that summit.
