LONDON: Arsenal are firmly back in control of the Premier League title race and a win at struggling West Ham United on Sunday could all but seal the Gunners’ first English title in 22 years.

Manchester City stormed back into contention last month but a costly 3-3 draw at Everton earlier this week might ultimately prove fatal to their chances.

Tottenham Hotspur host Leeds United knowing a win, combined with dropped points for West Ham, would move them to within touching distance of safety after a tumultuous season.

A major wobble from Arsenal allowed City back into the title race but consecutive league wins have lift­ed the mood at the north London club.

Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid at a pulsating Emirates, which secured a place in the Champions League final against Paris St-Germain, added to the feelgood factor.

Arsenal are five points clear of City, who have a game in hand, with matches to come against West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace.

The relegation-threatened Hammers have not beaten their London rivals at home in the league since 2019 but they are now fighting for their lives.

But Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said they must re-focus for “huge” clash at West Ham after the emotional high of reaching the Champions League final.

“Stay present, live in the moment, prepare and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire we have shown all season, or more,” said Arteta, referring to his message to his players. “We are closer and closer and everything we do is going to matter.”

On the other end of the table, Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi has warned his team are not yet safe from relegation — but seven points from three games suggest they may have turned a corner.

The Italian, who took charge at the end of March following Igor Tudor’s woeful interim spell at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, played down the importance of last week’s 2-1 victory at Aston Villa, saying nothing is decided yet.

“We can’t forget what was the situation before Wolverhampton (a 1-0 win last month),” De Zerbi told TNT Sports. “Before Wolverhampton it was a very sad situation and these memories have to stay in our head every day.”

After the Leeds game Spurs, currently 17th in the Premier League table, one point above West Ham, face Chelsea and Everton, who both still have European ambitions.

Victory for Leeds on Monday would guarantee their top-flight status, though they could already be safe if other results go their way.

CAN CHELSEA STOP THE ROT?

Chelsea’s Premier League season has imploded, with six straight defeats all but ending their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

The Blues, under interim boss Cal­um McFarlane, still have a chance to end the season on a high if they beat City in the FA Cup final but their league form is an embarrassment.

Ninth-placed Chelsea have not won in the Premier League since early March and have scored just one goal in their past six top-flight matches — in Monday’s 3-1 defeat by Nottingham Forest.

The west London side face a tough assignment this weekend as they take on Liverpool, with Arne Slot’s men close to securing qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Fixtures (all times GMT):

Saturday (1400 unless stated): Liverpool v Chelsea (1130), Brighton and Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fulham v Bournemouth, Sunderland v Manchester United, Manchester City v Brentford (1630); Sunday (1300 unless stated): Burnley v Aston Villa, Crystal Palace v Everton, Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United, West Ham United v Arsenal (1530); Monday Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United (1900).

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2026