Ten Outsiders Who Could Swing the Arsenal vs Manchester City Title Battle

The Manchester City victory at the Etihad has tightened the Premier League's title race dramatically, leaving City three points clear of Arsenal with a game in hand. While Erling Haaland and Gabriel will naturally dominate the headlines, the real drama could well be written by the supporting players – those operating outside the two frontrunners who still have business with either or both contenders.

Arsenal's run-in: Newcastle (h, April 25), Fulham (h, May 2), West Ham (a, May 10), Burnley (h, May 17), Crystal Palace (a, May 24).

Manchester City's schedule: Burnley (a, April 22), Everton (a, May 4), Brentford (h, May 9), Bournemouth (a, May 17), Crystal Palace (h, TBC), Aston Villa (h, May 24).

10. Rayan (Bournemouth)

Bournemouth's unbeaten streak represents the season's longest run by any top-flight side, and they've accumulated as many points as Arsenal across 2026. The Cherries have already inflicted damage on the Gunners at the Emirates during what proved a troublesome domestic spell. Hosting City on the penultimate weekend, Bournemouth – buoyed by European qualification prospects under Andoni Iraola – could yet prove the biggest stumbling block of all.

9. Raul Jimenez (Fulham)

The Mexican striker possesses an almost supernatural ability to haunt Arsenal's title ambitions. In each of the last two seasons, Jimenez has found the net in matches where the Gunners dropped points. His December 2024 strike at Craven Cottage forced a draw that derailed a three-game winning run, while his previous campaign saw him on target in a shock Fulham victory that Arsenal will regard as a missed opportunity.

8. Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Crystal Palace face both title contenders from this point forward, and while Burnley pose minimal threat, the Eagles demand careful handling. The England midfield prospect will test both Declan Rice and Manchester City's passing game, particularly if Palace harbour revenge for losing Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi to their respective advances.

7. Martin Dubravka (Burnley)

Burnley's involvement in the title race should carry minimal consequence – any dropped points to the Clarets would warrant automatic expulsion from the English football pyramid. Yet there's a mischievous sense that Dubravka possesses one genuinely inspired performance, the sort of 427-save masterclass that could leave the Emirates in disbelief.

6. James Garner (Everton)

Wayne Rooney's assessment proved telling: "I think it will be tight. They're good fixtures for Arsenal, I think they will win all them games. I think City's fixtures are a bit more difficult, and I think Everton might take a couple of points off them."

A Monday evening fixture at Goodison Park carries particular peril for any title chaser, especially with David Moyes potentially engineering a favour for Mikel Arteta. Add a Garner set-piece into the equation and Gianluigi Donnarumma might find himself thoroughly perplexed.

5. Konstantinos Mavropanos (West Ham)

The former Arsenal defender carries conflicting loyalties into West Ham's relegation scrap. Arsenal's visit to the London Stadium arrives just five days after their Champions League semi-final second leg, potentially leaving them vulnerable to Mavropanos's aerial threat. City already discovered this vulnerability when dropping points at the Hammers in March, and the Gunners should harbour similar concerns.

4. Igor Thiago (Brentford)

Few narratives would prove more delicious than a momentum-destroying hat-trick from the unlikely source that could reshape the entire title race.

3. Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United)

The discarded Arsenal goalkeeper possesses the ultimate point to prove. Newcastle represent an uncomfortable fixture for the Gunners, who've scraped past the Magpies in their last two meetings whilst losing four of the five preceding encounters without scoring. Ramsdale's desire to resurrect Arsenal's misery against his former club burns as brightly as any player involved.

2. Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

City's final-day assignment against Aston Villa generates intrigue beyond the surface narrative. Should Villa finish fifth and triumph in the Europa League – with that final concluding four days before the Premier League campaign ends – a Champions League qualification spot opens for sixth place. Unai Emery's pursuit of a rare league double over Guardiola carries genuine weight, whilst Rogers could endear himself permanently to north London by striking a decisive blow.

1. Brennan Johnson (Crystal Palace)

The former Tottenham forward has already scored against City this season and netted in a 4-0 demolition previously. Should he fail to make his mark in Palace's home fixture against City – itself awaiting official rescheduling – then the universe simply demands a former Spurs player delivering the final twist: a goal against Arsenal on the season's concluding day remains too delicious a prospect to resist.