Manchester City Premier League title favourites after Arsenal collapse

Erling Haaland scored Manchester City's winner against Arsenal on Sunday Carl Recine/Getty Images Share articleManchester City are taking control of the Premier League title race, with Arsenal’s loss of grip now exposed. Goals from Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland helped City to a 2-1 win over Arsenal on Sunday, and a win over Burnley on Wednesday will be enough to lift them to the top of the Premier League table for the first time since the opening matchweek. It is a significant turnaround, as Arsenal suffered a 29-day spiral that has left them in danger of finishing the season in second place. On March 21, Arsenal were given a 90 per cent implied probability of winning the title. They were 1/10 favourites, marking their strongest position in any title race over the past four years, yet City have been the instigators of their downturn. The Carabao Cup final on March 22 was a chance to rattle Arsenal, and Pep Guardiola masterminded a victory at Wembley. Since then, Arsenal have played two Premier League games, against Bournemouth and Manchester City, and lost both. During this period of dropped form, in which Arsenal also lost an FA Cup quarter-final to Southampton and edged a two-legged Champions League tie with Sporting CP by one goal, their title odds have shifted significantly. So much so that, after their Manchester City defeat on Sunday, Arsenal’s title odds drifted to 11/8 and their implied probability shifted to 42 per cent. The collapse could worsen this week as City have an opportunity to take full command at Burnley. City are 8/11 favourites to win the league, and the Premier League trophy that seemed almost certain to be heading towards north London just one month ago may yet end up back at Etihad Stadium for the seventh time in the Guardiola era. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms