Arsenal may be eight wins away from the title, but Man City race has twists

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has the perfect chance to step out of his mentor, Pep Guardiola's shadow - and everything points to the Gunners ending the season on top

The title race has all the makings of being a classic. And what has become crystal clear is that Manchester City are ready to fight Arsenal every step of the way.

If ever proof was needed was the way that City fought back at Liverpool - and the way they celebrated afterwards just showed how much it meant. Pep Guardiola brought the gap back to six points on leaders Arsenal and, with 13 games left, there are certain to be twists and turns along the way.

Nine points would have felt like a very daunting margin and yet City will now have genuine hope that they can reel Arsenal back in over the coming weeks. Arsenal must go to Brentford on Thursday night - which will be very tricky - and the gap could be down to three points as City entertain Fulham on Wednesday night.

Then City have to play Newcastle at home (just three days after Eddie Howe’s men go to Qarabag in the Champions League) followed by Leeds (away), Nottingham Forest (home) and West Ham (away).

City then play Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on March 22 and surely the winners will take huge confidence and heart from that game.

Meanwhile, Arsenal, after their trip to Brentford, face Wolves (away), Tottenham (away), Chelsea (home), Brighton (away) and Everton (home) before that date at Wembley.

It feels as if City’s next few games, might give them an edge and the chance to reduce the gap - but this title race will surely have more twists and turns besides.

That is why this can be thrilling and tense. That is why City celebrated so wildly at Anfield because it keeps them firmly in the mix.

City must be the most un-Guardiola like team since he took charge. Gianluigi Donnarumma is a great keeper but cannot play with his feet. They went for broke in the window by signing Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi.

They are going all out for glory and maybe, just maybe, that points towards Guardiola planning for his last season and to want to finish his reign in style. Or maybe I am just overthinking it.

And what this makes this fascinating is that Mikel Arteta is the sorcerer’s apprentice as he worked under Guardiola, learnt from the best and has pushed him close in two of the last three seasons.

But now Arteta looks ready to step up, push for his first title and you could argue that Arsenal actually only need eight wins from their last 13 games. If you do the maths that puts them on 80 points, they could then draw four and still lose one more game and which takes them to 84.

That would be the lowest tally since Manchester United won it with 1997 with 75 points. But keep in mind that Liverpool won it with 84 last season - and that was ten ahead of Arsenal who finished second.

City - who have won two of their last seven games - would need to win 11 games of their last 13, draw one and then lose one to reach 84. That is some task. City also have six of the top ten to play away from home whereas Arsenal only have two (Brentford and City).

And, yes, Arsenal do need to go to the Etihad. But Arsenal have the deepest squad - it can only be considered the best when they actually win the title.

If you speak to coaches in the game then they will all say that Arsenal are the best coached team, they are the most well drilled and this year will be their year.

The biggest factor against them is fear. Knowing that City have come up on the rails in the past and overtaken them. Arteta will be nervously looking in the rearview mirror. City undoubtedly have the pedigree and experience.

But this is Arsenal’s big chance. It plays into a fascinating battle. And a rivalry to mirror City going toe-to-toe with Liverpool in past years. That is why this year could be a classic title race - and squeaky bum time has started already.