Owen Backs Arsenal for Title Glory Despite City's Fixture Advantage

Michael Owen remains convinced that Arsenal will finally break their 20-year Premier League title drought, with Manchester City's schedule presenting the crucial stumbling block in their pursuit of back-to-back crowns.

Guardiola's men made a statement at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, dismantling Chelsea 3-0 to trim Arsenal's advantage to six points. Should City emerge victorious from this weekend's showdown at the Etihad, the gap shrinks to just three points—and they'll still possess a game in hand.

Arsenal's recent form has handed City renewed hope. The north Londoners have imploded since their Carabao Cup final defeat last month, losing three of their past four outings across all competitions. Most damagingly, they surrendered their home advantage to Bournemouth, allowing City back into the conversation.

Yet Owen refuses to write Arsenal's epitaph just yet. The former Liverpool and England frontman is backing the Gunners to respond at the Etihad and ultimately claim their first title in over two decades.

"I think Manchester City have got the slightly more difficult games," Owen explained. "They've got Bournemouth away, they've got Everton away. They are two tough games."

The pundit acknowledged the weight of momentum and experience working in City's favour, but stopped short of declaring them champions-elect. "Everything is pointing to City, the momentum, the record of Pep Guardiola, the experience of the players, the current form, City at home against Arsenal. It's the toss of a coin but I think Arsenal might just nick it."

Owen also pushed back against the narrative that Arsenal are serial bottlers, having finished runners-up for three consecutive seasons. He drew parallels with City's own journey to their first title, and Liverpool's repeated near-misses, arguing that sustained improvement was a prerequisite for winning the league.

"I can remember when Manchester City when they won the Premier League for the first time a long time ago they would be coming third and second and getting closer and closer," he said. "Liverpool came second a few times. You need to sort of build into winning the league."

The only exception, Owen suggested, was Leicester's miraculous 2016 triumph. "It's only Leicester who have come out of nowhere. If they don't win it this year my theory is out the window."