Man City's next five fixtures compared to Arsenal and Liverpool after title race drama

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Manchester City have climbed to second place in the Premier League table after a 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday evening. A double from Erling Haaland and a Nico O'Reilly goal were enough to counteract Tyler Adams' first-half strike, earning Pep Guardiola's side a hard-earned three points at the Etihad Stadium.

The outcome brings City within six points of league frontrunners Arsenal , while Liverpool are just one point behind in third . Bournemouth, on the other hand, slip to fourth as Andoni Iraola endures only his second league loss of the season.

City have been in this position before. During the 2022/23 season, they overcame an eight-point gap to snatch the title from Arsenal, and, with all three title contenders now occupying the top spots, the competition looks set to intensify once more .

So, with that being said, Mirror Football has looked at City's upcoming fixtures and how they compare to their rivals.

City's forthcoming schedule kicks off with two significant challenges. They'll host Liverpool at the Etihad before heading to St James' Park to take on Newcastle . Leeds United then travel to Manchester before the month of December begins, with a midweek trip to Fulham and a home match against Sunderland .

Speaking to reporters after losing to Aston Villa last weekend, Guardiola downplayed concerns that his side are out of the title race. The Man City boss said: "I was worried before the international break when we were 14th in the table and they (Liverpool) were six or seven points in front.

"Our job is not to watch the title. If they (Arsenal) win all their games and win the Premier League, congratulate them. But I feel that the team is alive, it's good. I don’t know how many teams can play here with the way we played with courage, possession, chances, concede less, expected goals and all these things.

"You have to be stable and better in details but I don’t live in October or November thinking what is going to happen if I win or don’t win the Premier League."

Arsenal maintained their impressive run with a 2-0 triumph over Burnley , marking their seventh win on the trot without conceding a goal. The Gunners now face a challenging trip to Sunderland, followed by London derbies against Tottenham and Chelsea .

They then welcome Brentford at home before heading to the Midlands to take on Unai Emery's Aston Villa . Speaking to reporters on Friday, Arteta was asked if he encourages his players to talk about winning the Premier League.

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"We have to focus on the journey and what we have to do every single day," said the Arsenal boss. "Fixing the outcome, of course, we want to win it, and the preparation is towards that, great, and we have set all the protocols, processes, ambitions, everything.

"Now you have to focus on what you have to do. If not, you get distracted with the rest and I don't want any of that around the team."

The Reds bounced back to form with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday evening. Next up for Arne Slot's side is a crucial title showdown with City, before they host Nottingham Forest . A journey to West Ham is next on the agenda, capped off by encounters with newly-promoted Sunderland and Leeds.

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