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Arsenal\u2019s shock 2-1 defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday blew the Premier League title race wide open, as Liverpool beat Fulham to boost their chances of qualifying for next season\u2019s Champions League.<\/p>\n
The Gunners could have opened up a 12-point lead at the top of the table, but a third straight domestic defeat for Mikel Arteta\u2019s men has put the destiny of the title back in Manchester City\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n
\ufeffGet all the latest football news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n City have two games in hand on the long-time leaders, starting with Sunday\u2019s trip to Chelsea, and host Arsenal next weekend in a potential title decider.<\/p>\n Just a few weeks ago the Gunners were dreaming of an unprecedented quadruple but they lost to City in the League Cup final and were dumped out of the FA Cup by second-tier Southampton.<\/p>\n A wobble in the Premier League, which they have not won since 2004, raises major doubts about their staying power with six matches to go.<\/p>\n After suffering just three defeats in their opening 49 matches of the season in all competitions, they have lost three of their past four, ramping up the tension.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a big punch in the face, that\u2019s what I said to the boys, and now it\u2019s about how we react to that,\u201d said a downbeat Arteta, whose team remain favourites for the title.<\/p>\n The Spaniard, whose side have finished as runners-up three times in a row, admitted Arsenal\u2019s long title drought was playing on their minds.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know what is at stake and the fact that as a club we haven\u2019t done it for so long is a reason for that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n \ufeffBring back Angeball! New Spurs boss\u2019 surprise nod to Aussie as relegation scrap heats up<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n No hiding now: Biggest sign yet Spurs could get relegated as twist rubs salt in wounds<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n