FOR the heinous crime of drawing three games on the spin Arsenal have been put through the wringer this week, written off by the press and public alike. They’ve been damned for being very good, but ultimately not good enough, their title hopes spoken about in the past tense.

The manner in which Mikel Arteta’s side rollercoasted their way to a point at home to Southampton on Friday evening has seen them compared to Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool back in 2014. They’re too emotional, it has been claimed. Propelled by adrenaline, sentimentality, and desperate desire – all group huddles and clenched fists – how could they possibly compete with the relentless, clinical machine that is Manchester City?

Relinquishing a two-goal lead at West Ham meanwhile brought an altogether different slant of criticism. They were too complacent. Were they starting to believe their own hype?

As much as a degree of fault-finding was warranted, such a welter of pessimism and negativity regarding Arsenal’s chances of securing a first league crown for two decades has felt somewhat premature and exaggerated. Indeed, when viewed as a whole the narrative seems to be portraying it as an inevitable consequence that City will comfortably win their two games in hand, and furthermore triumph at the Etihad on Wednesday. That it’s game over. Close Arsenal, but no cigar.

If only for balance therefore, here’s an alternative take, one that isn’t subjective at all but – at the risk of evoking Rafa circa 2009 – only facts.

With just a handful of fixtures remaining, Arsenal are five points clear and have the opportunity to extend that lead to eight. Even a draw in one of the most keenly anticipated Premier League clashes in the modern era would require City to be perfect to the season’s close and though they are absolutely capable of sustained perfection it should never be taken for granted from any side, great or otherwise.

Since losing to City back in mid-February, the Gunners are unbeaten in ten, averaging three goals per game in that period. Yes, a Saliba-less defence has started to show gaps and make gaffes but going forward, Arsenal are as scary a proposition as ever.

All season long, they have taken on 34 more shots than City and, granted, that doesn’t necessarily mean a lot because anyone can take a pot-shot from distance but what really impresses is they have a league-high for chance conversions.

They have been highly productive and highly clinical.

Over 4.5 shots by the Gunners this Wednesday offers up a tempting 13/5

Moreover, they are the only side in the top-flight yet to lose having taken a lead and this marks them down as ruthless front-runners even if concessions at Anfield and the London Stadium suggests not.

When finding themselves behind, they have picked up 16 points from 27. That demands fortitude. That shows inner-belief.

In Bukayo Saka and Gabrial Martinelli they boast two outstanding talents who have between them contributed 21 direct goal involvements from Arsenal’s last 12 league outings and now that Gabby Jesus has returned from injury he’s wasted no time in joining the party. The Brazilian forward has struck four in his last four starts.

Martinelli is well priced at 21/5 to score anytime at the Etihad

Lastly – and this is admittedly subjective and not factual – a strong argument can be made that Arsenal’s midfield three of Partey, Xhaka and Odegaard is the most balanced and effective around. Combined, they flawlessly execute Arteta’s mandate for control and nuanced pressing. Individually, they’ve been brilliant.

That Xhaka is a doubt due to illness is obviously a huge concern for Mikel Arteta, even if the Swiss international has form in this fixture for imploding, getting sent off at the Etihad a fortnight into last season. That’s because, as with any meeting of equals, this is a contest that will likely be won and lost in the centre-circle though, in truth, there are intriguing match-ups all over the pitch.

Saka versus Laporte, that’s one, the latter stepping in for the injured Nathan Ake. Down the other end meanwhile, Erling Haaland will be relishing the prospect of renewing his acquaintance with Rob Holding, the defender who tried to rough him up in their FA Cup encounter back in January only to be hauled off at half-time for coming off worse.

City have recently broken the 200-mark for corners won this term, with Arsenal not far behind. Over 9.5 corners is decent value at 3/4

Holding is unquestionably the weak link in this Arsenal creation and will undoubtedly be targeted by not only the Norwegian but Grealish too, drifting in off the left flank. Talking of whom, it feels like a mention of Grealish’s recent sublime form is needed here but frankly, the same can be said of every City player at present, as Pep Guardiola’s construction hurtles fully-formed and frightening down the home straight.

Since losing at Spurs, the Blues are unbeaten in 16 across all competitions, scoring a remarkable 31 goals in their last eight games. It’s a spree of excellence that includes comprehensive bestings of Liverpool and Bayern Munich while at the back, there have been similar high-achieving. Dating all the way back to the tail-end of February, City have conceded at a rate of a goal every four hours.

All of which points to a home win, but surely it will be close, not to say tense and fractious.

Over 11.5 fouls committed by Arsenal is well worth a punt at 21/20

In fact, when stepping back and anticipating what lies ahead what most comes to mind is City’s 2-1 win over Liverpool in 2019, when again a title was on the line.

On that memorable evening the game was played at 90 miles an hour and with both teams playing to their strengths it resulted in a stonewall classic. We may well be treated to such a spectacle again.

On that evening, chances were at a premium, with the Blues prevailing courtesy of a good slice of fortune and roared on by a tribal crowd. Again, history may repeat itself.

It is City then who should be backed, but categorically that will not mean the title race is over. Perhaps the best is yet to come?

A bet builder backing City to win, BTTS, and De Bruyne to have over 0.5 shots on target is a shout at 3/1