Arsenal and Manchester City have a huge chance of winning the title, as both teams seem inseparable. But what happens if nothing separates both teams at the end of the final matchday this season?
The race to the English Premier League title is far from over heading into the final weeks of the ongoing 2025-2026 season.
Such a scenario has never been experienced before as Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal hold the slight advantage as things stand.
The Gunners have 70 points with +37 goal difference, while Pep Guardiola’s side are three points and one goal behind, and still have a game in hand.
By the time the season ends, the Premier League title could look different, and some key areas could decide the title winner.
Should the two teams finish level on points, definitely, the next yardstick in deciding the winner would be goal difference, Sky Sports reports.
As of the time of filing this report, it is very possible that Arsenal and Manchester City could tie on that metrick.
If that happens, then the team that scored most goals in the course of the season would win the title.
Manchester City lead this aspect of the table by just two goals having scored 65 goals compared to Arsenal’s 63.
Things then start to get even more technical as the same points, goal difference and goals scored would lead officials to look at the head-to-head records when the two sides met.
After the 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium earlier in the campaign, the same result at the Etihad would have made matters even more complicated.
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However, it was City who prevailed in the match at the Etihad Stadium, with Erling Haaland’s 65th minute strike giving the Citizens a crucial 2-1 victory.
That means in the unlikely scenario that the title was decided by their head-to-head record, City would emerge victorious.
Pep Guardiola is no stranger to incredibly close title races, having beaten Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool to the trophy by a one-point margin in two different seasons (2018-19 & 2021-22).
That narrow margin has only ever happened in four other Premier League campaigns, including Arsenal’s 1997-98 triumph.
However, the Citizens’ supporters have been through an even more tense fight for the title. Back in 2011-12, many will remember Sergio Aguero’s last-gasp winner to seal the club’s first-ever Premier League crown over bitter rivals Manchester United.
Roberto Mancini’s side emerged with the trophy due to their superior goal difference after finishing level on points (89) with the Red Devils.
1. Goals scored — The team with more total goals across the season ranks higher.
2. Head-to-head record — Points earned from the two matches between Arsenal and City.
3. Away goals in head-to-head — If head-to-head points are tied, the team that scored more goals in the opponent’s stadium wins the tie.
4. Play-off match (only if it decides the title, European qualification, or relegation) — A one-off game at a neutral venue, with extra time and penalties if needed. This has never happened in Premier League history for the title but is written into the rules.
