Arsenal dealt Man City a Premier League blow when Mikel Arteta needed him least

Arsenal will need help if they want to win the Premier League title on aggregate points. Winning the remaining three games may not be enough as City need to pick up 12 points from four games to retain their title for another season and beat the Gunners for the second time in a row.

However, City still have some difficult games ahead of them, including a trip to Tottenham, although Arsenal fans are unlikely to have high hopes for their north London rivals. However, clashes with West Ham on the final day and Wolves next weekend offer something more encouraging.

West Ham have secured 13 points from the Big Six teams this season, although they lost to Manchester City in east London earlier in the season. Wolves have now taken 15 points from their Big Six games, including a surprise 2-1 win over Manchester City.

But that hope has been dealt a blow as Wolves’ impressive head coach Gary O’Neil has been hit with a penalty which will come into effect when they face Guardiola’s side this weekend. The former Bournemouth manager has been handed an immediate one-match touchline ban by the Football Association.

The reason for the punishment is because he had already been found guilty of inappropriate behavior five games earlier during the defeat to West Ham. The timing is terrible for the Gunners, who will be frustrated that the result comes at such a crucial point in the season.

An injury-time equalizer by Max Kilman was ruled out after a VAR review, prompting O’Neil to describe the decision as both “scandalous” and “horrible” and, according to the referee, even turned to Tony Harrington in the referee’s room telegraph. It was this behavior and language in and or around the match official’s dressing room that was considered inappropriate and/or threatening.

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Wolves will know that their win at the start of the campaign was something of an outlier in recent history. City had won the last six meetings between the two teams, scoring 19 goals in those games.

However, Arsenal are hoping that a miracle could actually be possible and Wolves can repeat their famous league double against the champions in 2019. A 3-2 home win with two late goals from Raul Jimenez and Matt Doherty was achieved through another smash-and-grab as Adama Traore scored twice after the 80th minute at the Etihad Stadium.

While they travel to the North West knowing O’Neil won’t be on the sidelines, Mikel Arteta will certainly be hoping for some favor. Arsenal face Bournemouth at lunchtime on Saturday, with Man City facing Wolves later in the day at 5:30pm UK time.