Mikel Arteta's Arsenal dream is closest to becoming reality - even if no-one wants to admit it

This time last year, Arsenal travelled to Manchester City with all the odds backed against them. They saw their Premier League title tilt slip through their fingers in 90 minutes despite spending months on top of the table.

A dominant City team outfought, outmuscled and outclassed their title rivals by tweaking their game. Long balls to Erling Haaland against a helpless Rob Holding saw Pep Guardiola's side run out 4-1 winners.

Fast forward to this weekend, the Gunners are a different breed. Mikel Arteta's tactical changes on the pitch have nurtured the north Londoners into a better team and the quality throughout the team sheet is of a greater standard.

Last year, there was little confidence going into the game. This time round, there's a real belief that Arsenal could, at least, come away from Manchester on Easter Sunday with something.

Having already beaten Man City earlier this season and avoided defeat to Liverpool in their two meetings, Arteta's side have shown their ability to compete with the best teams. But Sunday's game is a completely different kettle of fish due to the severity of what any result will mean.

Win and Arsenal will become the favourites to lift the title in May. A draw is, perhaps, the better result for Liverpool and losing at the Etihad would more or less give City a free pass to have one hand on the trophy.

Dream Arsenal weekend as Liverpool weaknesses exploited and Man City victory

Jamie Carragher tells Arsenal what they need to win Premier League ahead of Man City clash

Just like the last visit, the title will still be in Arsenal's hands, but nobody will believe in them. «If Arsenal get beat, I don't see how they can win the league,» Jamie Carragher recently said. It's hard to actually disagree with