Arsenal sit top of the Premier League with a narrow lead over Manchester City, but upcoming fixtures against Burnley and Crystal Palace could yet prove decisive in a tense title race run-in.
Arsenal appear to be closing in on a long-awaited Premier League title, but the final stages of the season still carry potential danger. Mikel Arteta’s side currently sit five points clear at the summit, although Manchester City still have a midweek game against Crystal Palace that could reduce the gap and crank up the pressure.
Even in the worst-case scenario for Arsenal, their advantage remains intact. Should City win at the Etihad, the Gunners would still hold a two-point cushion with two matches left to play. On paper, those fixtures — at home to Burnley and away to Crystal Palace — look manageable, but the dynamics of a title race often complicate even the most favourable scenarios.
Burnley arrive at the Emirates already relegated, yet their recent performances suggest they are not a guaranteed three points. The Clarets have gone 11 matches without a win, but they have frustrated stronger sides with disciplined defensive displays, including draws against Chelsea, Bournemouth, and Aston Villa.
The highlights from today’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea 🎬 pic.twitter.com/qrCc17WH91
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) February 21, 2026
Their approach against top opposition has often been cautious and deep-lying, with large portions of possession surrendered and compact defensive structures designed to limit space. Even Manchester City needed a single Erling Haaland strike to edge a narrow win at Turf Moor, highlighting how stubborn Burnley can be when they execute their game plan effectively.
A key concern for Arsenal will be Burnley forward Zian Flemming, who has quietly become one of their most reliable attacking threats. The Dutchman has scored 10 league goals this season, with five coming in his last nine matches, and his underlying numbers suggest he is outperforming his expected output, making him a dangerous wildcard in an otherwise struggling side.
After Burnley, Arsenal’s final challenge is a trip to Crystal Palace, a fixture that could be heavily influenced by Palace’s European commitments. Oliver Glasner’s side are expected to have one eye on their upcoming Conference League final, and history suggests teams in similar situations often struggle in their final league outing before continental finals.
However, Palace are not a side to be underestimated. Their recent form has shown flashes of resilience and individual brilliance, particularly from Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has rediscovered his scoring touch in recent weeks, and Ismaïla Sarr, who has been directly involved in key goals during their European and domestic fixtures.
Sarr will tear you apart again 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/Wxel0uaoha
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 11, 2026
Arsenal will also remember how tight their previous meetings with Palace have been this season. A narrow league victory and a penalty shootout win in the League Cup underline how difficult Oliver Glasner’s side can be to break down, especially when playing with defensive structure and physical intensity.
🇦🇹 Oliver Glasner on how Crystal Palace could help decide the title race:
🗣️ Glasner: “If City win all three games they have a chance. If Arsenal win both games, they are champions. After your question, I looked at my payslips, I didn’t get any money from Arsenal or City.
We… pic.twitter.com/QthECkKnuf— Palace Report (@PalaceReport) May 13, 2026
Ultimately, Arsenal remain strong favourites to see the job through, given their points advantage and favourable fixtures. However, as both Burnley and Crystal Palace have shown in different ways this season, underestimating either opponent could still open the door to one final twist in a Premier League title race that refuses to end quietly.
