On Your Marks: Race For the Premier League Title Heats Up

In recent weeks Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea seem to be the only three clubs remaining in the title race.

Liverpool's dismal showing of late has effectively ruled the Reds out of the running, leaving the last three league champions to do battle for the biggest prize in English football.

Last week Sir Alex Ferguson, commented that Arsenal's brilliant form and Chelsea's unwillingness to give in had been big motivational factors in the Red Devils' recent performance.  Ferguson stated that to once again be crowned league champions, United need to go unbeaten in their remaining 14 games—a tall order in anyone's book, but not impossible.

At this stage of the season to go on a 14 game unbeaten streak is certainly not easy. From February till May, the calender is stacked with League, Cup and European matches for the top three clubs, and this will  undoubtedly prove to be the most testing time of the season.

United have always had very good squad depth, but untimely injuries have shaken the apple cart over the last couple of seasons, and stopped Man U from picking up trophies which they arguably could have won had all their players been fit.

But with a smidgen of luck—an element of any club's success—United certainly have a great chance to retain the title.

However, with Adebayor breathing down Ronaldo's neck in the goalscorers chart, Arsenal certainly are keeping the pressure on.

After today's football—Arsenal beating Manchester City, and both United and Chelsea drawing their games—the league table looks like this;

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1. Arsenal (Pts: 60  GD: 34)

2. Man United (Pts: 58  GD: 37)

3. Chelsea (Pts: 54  GD: 21)

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With the top two playing so well in recent weeks, it seems more and more likely that the real deciding factor in this race will materialize on Saturday April 12, when Arsenal visit Old Trafford. It will be a mouth-watering tie—and, of course, I will be rooting for my beloved United.

But if Arsenal beat us to the title this year, I would have to hold my hands up and admit they were the better team.

Personally, I'm not sure whether Chelsea have enough left in the tank to pose a serious threat to the top two—but only time will tell.

One thing is for sure, this has been the most exciting season we've seen for a long time. If Liverpool hadn't faltered, we could have seen the most exciting race ever!