Arsenal open nine-point gap as City face crucial Anfield test in title race

Arsenal strengthened their grip on the top of the table on Saturday afternoon with a commanding 3–0 victory over Sunderland, a result that has opened up a nine-point cushion at the summit and intensified the pressure on their closest rivals.

The Gunners’ emphatic win was further boosted by Aston Villa’s 1–1 draw away at Bournemouth, a result that leaves Manchester City as the only side with a realistic chance of cutting Arsenal’s lead this weekend.

However, Pep Guardiola’s men face a daunting task as they travel to Anfield on Sunday to take on Liverpool in what promises to be a high-stakes Super Sunday showdown.

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Anfield has long been a difficult hunting ground for City. The reigning champions have managed just one victory there since 2003, a rare success that came in 2021 when matches were played behind closed doors due to the pandemic.

With fans back in full voice and the title race hanging in the balance, history offers little encouragement for the visitors.

City head into the fixture knowing they trail Arsenal by nine points, a gap that already places them under significant pressure. Any slip-up—whether a defeat or even a draw—could deal a severe blow to their title ambitions and potentially leave the race slipping out of their control.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are champions but find themselves in an unfamiliar position. Arne Slot’s side currently sit sixth in the table after both Manchester United and Chelsea secured victories, pushing the Merseyside club further down the standings.

They are now five points adrift of the Champions League places, and failure to secure a positive result against City could see them lose further ground in the battle for a top-four finish.

With Arsenal watching closely from the top, City desperate to stay in touch, and Liverpool eager to reignite their season, Sunday’s clash at Anfield is perfectly poised to be one of the defining fixtures of the campaign.