Arsenal handed Premier League title blow vs Man City when Mikel Arteta needed it least

Arsenal are reliant upon some help should they wish to win the Premier League title with the points totals out of their hands. Winning their remaining three games might not be enough as City have four matches to pick up 12 points to defend their title for yet another season and deny the Gunners for a second successive campaign.

City however have some tough fixtures remaining including a trip to Tottenham although Arsenal fans are hardly holding out much hope from their north London rivals. The clashes with West Ham on the final day and Wolves this coming weekend however offer something more encouraging.

West Ham have secured 13 points from the ‘Big Six’ sides this season, although did lose to Manchester City in east London earlier in the campaign. Meanwhile, Wolves have taken 15 points from their ‘Big Six’ meetings including a surprise 2-1 win over Manchester City.

Yet that hope has taken something of a hit as Wolves’ impressive head coach Gary O’Neil has been hit with a punishment set to take effect when they meet Guardiola's side this weekend. The former Bournemouth coach has been hit with an immediate one-match touchline ban by the Football Association.

The reason behind the punishment relates to being found guilty of improper conduct during the defeat to West Ham as many as five matches prior. The timing is awful for the Gunners who will be frustrated that the outcome comes at such a pivotal moment of the season.

A stoppage-time equaliser by Max Kilman was ruled out after a VAR check which sparked O’Neil to label the decision both “scandalous” and “horrendous” and even approached official Tony Harrington in the official’s room according to the Telegraph. It was this behaviour and language in and or around the match official’s changing room which was deemed improper and/or threatening.

READ MORE: Arsenal’s £27m summer transfer verdict asked new questions after latest title blow avoided

READ MORE: Arsenal's possible Premier League title parade plans and route amid Manchester City battle

Wolves will know that their win earlier in the campaign was something of an outlier in recent history. City had won the previous six meetings between the two sides scoring 19 goals across those games.

Arsenal will hope however that a miracle might indeed be possible and Wolves are able to repeat their famous league double over the champions which they did so in 2019. A 3-2 win at home with two late goals from Raul Jimenez and Matt Doherty were proceeded by another smash-and-grab when Adama Traore scored twice after the 80th minute at the Etihad Stadium.

As they travel to the northwest and know that O’Neil will not be on the sidelines, Mikel Arteta will certainly be hoping for any kind of favour. Arsenal take on Bournemouth in the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday with Man City vs Wolves later that day at 5:30pm UK time.