Arsenal hand Man City a shot at third place
Manchester City fans probably thought their week couldn't get any better after securing a top-four finish on Tuesday then ending their 35-year wait for major silverware at Wembley on Saturday, but Arsenal's shock home loss to Aston Villa on Sunday added gloss to a glorious few days for them.
That result means that Roberto Mancini's side are just two points behind the third-placed Gunners and consequently control their own destiny with regards to overtaking them and in the process gaining automatic entry to the group stage of next season's Champions League.
The Citizens close the campaign firstly with a home game against the Stoke side they vanquished in the FA Cup Final on Tuesday in which three points will put them clear of the north Londoners and then visit slumping Bolton on the final day, while Arsenal face a tricky trip to eighth-placed Fulham.
The determination of Manchester City to avoid easing up satisfied with their recent achievements was captivated after their Wembley success by assistant manager Brian Kidd, who spoke of needing to check that the players shared the coaching staff's eagerness to continue to improve.
They are on a roll having won five of their last six matches - each by a one-goal margin - and as Arsenal are heading in the opposite direction after three defeats in four and just two victories in 12, it's not great surprise that the Blues are [1.72] favourites to claim third place, with Arsene Wenger's men [2.32].
Who do you fancy to dodge the qualifiers? Offer your opinion below...
Published: 16 May 2011
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