Why an Arsenal Win over Manchester City Would Make Them Title Favourites

Over the last few years, fixtures between Arsenal and Manchester City have become recognised as significant and glamorous occasions.

However, this year the match carries more weight than most. With both teams in the thick of the race for the Premier League title, the result on Monday will have big implications for both teams. Arsene Wenger will surely feel that should Arsenal win, they will be favourites to lift the trophy.

Of the candidates to win the league, City and Arsenal currently appear to be the strongest pair. The demise of Chelsea has certainly helped. Manchester United are currently well-positioned in fourth place, but they lack the attacking fluency that has been the hallmark of their great title-winning sides. Sir Alex Ferguson’s teams were renowned for their cavalier approach. Under Louis van Gaal, United have become one-paced and predictable. They would need more firepower to be regarded as serious challengers.

Then there’s Leicester City. Claudio Ranieri’s side is top of the table, and Arsene Wenger spoke to his team's official site about his belief that it’s a good thing for English football:

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Not only for English football, it’s good for everybody in football all over the world to see that teams who are not on the biggest budget at the start can compete as well. 

There’s always a way to be successful when you’re intelligent and competent. Of course that’s very positive and they’ve shown another fantastic performance on Monday night [against Chelsea].

"

Ranieri and Leicester may be intelligent and competent, but that does not necessarily mean they’ll have the stamina to remain at the head of the table until May. The Foxes face Everton, Liverpool and Manchester City in their next three games. They did terrifically well to beat Chelsea in their last outing, but that is a perilous run.

Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Even if they survive this period unscathed, it’s difficult to see them remaining in the race right to the death. Their squad simply doesn’t have the depth of most championship-winning outfits, and an injury to one of Jamie Vardy or Riyad Mahrez could have devastating implications.

Which leaves City and Arsenal. The Manchester club is arguably the most obviously equipped to go all the way; the squad contains an outrageous variety and depth of talent, and crucially, City have done it before. Arsenal, by contrast, have not won the league since 2004.

However, there is an uncertainty hanging over Manchester City regarding the future of manager Manuel Pellegrini. Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail believes he will be replaced in the summer by Bayern Munich’s Pep Guardiola. That information could have a destabilising effect on City’s performances.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

Arsenal have no such concerns; Arsene Wenger’s position is secure, and there is a growing conviction among the Gunners squad that this could be their year. It seems as if the players and manager alike sense this could be an opportunity to end their long wait to lift the Premier League trophy.

An Arsenal win over City would open up a four-point gap on their rivals. That’s not in itself something to draw big conclusions from. However, the psychological ramifications could be great. Arsenal would be boosted by a win over a big competitor while City’s lingering doubts could deepen and fester.

This could be a huge moment in Arsenal's season. Beat City, and they will feel the momentum is with them.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout 2015/16. Follow him on Twitter here.