Manchester City trails Arsenal by four points in the 2025/26 Premier League. February fixtures against Tottenham, Liverpool, and others could decide the champion. Full preview and analysis.
Manchester City Catching Up to Arsenal: Key February Matches That Will Determine the Champion
The competition for the Premier League title has gotten more intense as of late January 2026.
With 50 points from 23 games, Arsenal is in the lead. With 46 points and a game remaining, Manchester City is in second place with a better goal differential of +26 than Arsenal’s +25.
Aston Villa also has 46 points but trails on tiebreakers. Livescore mobile – live footballplatforms allow fans to follow every match and update in real time as these positions shift.
The four-point gap makes February a decisive month. Strong results could enable City to overtake the leaders, while Arsenal seeks to extend its advantage.
Recent form shapes the current standings.
Arsenal has remained consistent overall but lost ground in a surprising 3-2 defeat to Manchester United on January 25. City answered with a solid 2-0 victory over Wolves, helped by new signings Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo. Guehi strengthens the defense, and Semenyo adds pace and threat in attack. For Arsenal, preserving momentum depends heavily on avoiding serious injuries to key players such as Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Declan Rice.
February presents contrasting challenges for the two sides. City faces a tougher run of fixtures, while Arsenal has a blend of manageable games and more demanding tests toward the end of the month.
Manchester City’s February Fixtures: A Demanding Run
On February 1 at 4:30 PM GMT, City will play Tottenham Hotspur on the road to start February. Despite their erratic play this season, Spurs do well at home against elite teams. City’s build-up is often disrupted by Ange Postecoglou’s high-pressing style.
A City win would cut the gap to one point, provided Arsenal drops points. City’s historical record at Tottenham Stadium includes recent defeats, so this match carries significant risk.
On February 8 at 4:30 PM GMT, City travels to Liverpool. Anfield remains one of the league’s most difficult venues. Arne Slot’s Liverpool combines resilient home defending with effective counter-attacks. Pep Guardiola’s team must handle this rivalry with care. A victory would deliver a strong psychological lift and could bring the points level. A draw or defeat might widen the gap, particularly if Arsenal wins its fixtures.
Midweek, City hosts Fulham on February 11 at 7:30 PM GMT. Fulham occupies a mid-table position and tends to struggle against elite opposition. City is expected to control possession and create clear chances.
Three points here are vital to sustain pressure on the leaders. City then welcomes Newcastle United on February 21.
Eddie Howe’s team has improved defensively but remains inconsistent. The month concludes with an away trip to Leeds United on February 28.
Newly promoted Leeds battles relegation yet can cause upsets at Elland Road.
Winning all five matches would give City 15 points, eliminate the deficit, and create strong momentum. Guardiola’s tactical adaptability, centered on possession control and rapid transitions, will prove essential.
Arsenal’s February Schedule: Chances to Extend the Lead
On February 7 at 3:00 PM GMT, Arsenal takes on Sunderland at home to begin February. Sunderland has a good chance to earn three points because they are close to the bottom of the standings.
To avoid any lapses, Mikel Arteta will insist on complete focus. Arsenal will travel to Brentford on February 12 at 7:30 PM GMT. Brentford uses a lot of set pieces and plays aggressively at home. Although Arsenal has successfully handled these opponents in the past, any complacency might let City go closer.
The schedule intensifies with an away north London derby against Tottenham on February 22. Spurs’ strong home form makes this fixture challenging, though Arsenal’s greater squad depth should provide an edge.
Arsenal has time to bounce back from defeats in January thanks to a comparatively lighter early February. These opponents are a good fit for Arteta’s emphasis on intense pressing and slick attacking play. Additional strength could be added by any new players from the winter transfer window.
Factors Other Than the Fixtures: Form, Injuries, and Transfers
Results will be impacted by recent signings. City’s new additions bring depth and quality, while Arsenal depends on the cohesion of its current squad. Injuries remain a major concern. Ruben Dias is still sidelined at City, placing added responsibility on Guehi’s integration.
Arsenal continues to monitor Odegaard’s condition closely. No direct meeting between Arsenal and City takes place in February; that fixture is scheduled for April.
Both teams must therefore prioritize maximum points from every game. City’s more difficult away tests will demand resilience, while Arsenal has the chance to build a lead of seven or eight points with consistent wins. February will clarify the genuine title contenders.
All livescore here will show how these teams perform in the decisive matches. The ability to deliver under pressure separates champions from the rest. The spring of the 2025/26 season promises intense competition as these two sides vie for supremacy.
