The stage is set for the most exciting finish to a title race in Premier League history

ONE point is all that separates Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table. Until Sunday, Liverpool had been table-toppers. Now Arsenal sit at the top of the standings while many still consider City favourites. The stage is set for the most exciting finish to a title race in Premier League history.

This is the first time in over a decade that three teams have been separated by a single point at such a late stage of the season. There has, of course, been great Premier League title races before, but this season’s three-way tussle could surpass anything previously witnessed by English fans.

Liverpool might have the strongest narrative behind them as they hunt silverware in Jurgen Klopp’s last season at the club. The sight of Liverpool lifting aloft the Premier League trophy for the second time in the last four years would be symbolic of the transformation that has taken place at Anfield under the German manager.

Manchester City are chasing an historic Double Treble that would by many measures make them the strongest team in modern football history. It was remarkable enough that Pep Guardiola’s side managed to lift three major trophies last season. It would be unprecedented if they pulled off the achievement in successive campaigns.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are targeting their first Premier League title since the days of Arsene Wenger. Two decades have passed since the Gunners were last English champions, but Mikel Arteta’s team are currently leading the way at the top of the table and look to have learned from last season’s title race collapse.

If defences truly do win titles, as has been uttered so many times over the years, Arsenal are surely the favourites to finish top of the pile. Their backline is the strongest in the Premier League right now, highlighted by the fact they have kept seven clean sheets in 11 matches played since the turn of the year.

The title race that keeps giving 🍿 pic.twitter.com/qATjd6TrI9

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Away from home, the Gunners have been even stingier having kept a clean sheet in each of their last five games on the road. Sunday’s game away to Brighton had the potential to be a banana skin, but Arsenal held Roberto De Zerbi’s team at arm’s length for the majority of the match. They did the same against City at the Etihad Stadium two weeks ago.

City’s attack might power them past their rivals by the end of the season, but the defending champions have been defensively vulnerable at times. Indeed, Manchester City have already conceded more fast break goals this season than in the entirety of last season. Opponents are exposing them on the counter attack.

Liverpool have their own issues in defensive transition, as demonstrated by the way Manchester United were able to fight back from a losing position on Sunday. The Reds dominated the first half at Old Trafford only for Jarell Quansah’s mistake to let United back into the game. After that, Liverpool afforded too much space to the likes of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo – who scored a stunning second.

For all their defensive strength, Arsenal have their own flaws. Creatively, they aren’t the most free-flowing of teams in open play. Arteta frequently relies on counter-pressing and set pieces to open up matches while some opponents – see Aston Villa and West Ham last December – have managed to restrict the Gunners.

Whichever way the pendulum swings between now and the end of May, this season’s title race deserves a dramatic finale. Nothing has been decided yet. For Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, the Premier League trophy is within touching distance. One way or another, the next two months will live long in the memory.