Michail Antonio terrorised Arsenal in April (Picture: Rex)
If we are to pinpoint the moment the title pendulum swung decisively back towards Manchester City it would probably be West Ham’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal on April 16.
The Gunners had dropped two points from a winning position at Liverpool the previous week but a brilliant first half in east London left them looking certain to restore a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Two Hammers goals and a missed Bukayo Saka penalty later, Arsenal knew if they lost at Manchester City last week their fate would be out of their hands.
That they dropped two more points at home to Southampton before duly losing at City only strengthened the likelihood the trophy will stay in Manchester after all.
So, the least Arsenal fans can ask is for West Ham keep the champions honest by raising their game to similar levels at the Etihad on Wednesday night.
However, the omens are not great. After scoring eight goals in two games following Arsenal’s visit, the Hammers have lost their last two – to Liverpool and Crystal Palace, conceding six goals in the process.
Bukayo Saka misses a second-half penalty for Arsenal at West Ham (Picture: Getty Images)
On the plus side, although they have not beaten City in the league since 2015, the visitors have claimed a couple of draws in recent years and have not lost by more than two goals in their last seven meetings in all competitions.
And, as Arsenal know only too well, a two-goal lead over David Moyes’ men can quickly disappear. With the Hammers scrapping for survival, there is still everything to play for and Pep Guardiola is not taking anything for granted.
‘West Ham maybe didn’t do the season they expected but that doesn’t mean the quality is not there,’ he said
‘In the last two seasons with David Moyes they have been exceptional. The weapons are there, they are a good team. I don’t have doubts about them. In one game anything can happen.’
West Ham have proven that once already this spring, Arsenal will be hoping they can do so again.
12 Games since West Ham last failed to score, a 4-0 defeat at Brighton on March 4
2 Goals for Erling Haaland in City’s win over West Ham on the opening day of the season
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The least Arsenal fans can ask is for West Ham keep the champions honest