Manchester City and Arsenal are hurtling towards a massive few weeks that’ll define their seasons, with Pep Guardiola already seething about the schedule.
The two title rivals go head to head on Wednesday night in what could be one of the final times they kick off in the Premier League at the same time on the same day . City host Nottingham Forest, Arsenal travel to Brighton. Both 7.30pm. Both massive.
But that’s just the start. The pair meet in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on March 22. Before then, there’s FA Cup fifth round ties and Champions League last 16 battles to navigate .
Seasons will be made or broken in the next few weeks.
THE FIXTURE ROW
Guardiola couldn’t help himself after Saturday’s win at Leeds, taking aim at a schedule that’s handed his side the 8pm slot at Newcastle in the FA Cup while every other team plays at 3pm .
“We have three days until Nottingham Forest,” he fumed. “Then after in the FA Cup, thank you so much for letting us play at 8pm instead of 3pm so we have less recovery to play Real Madrid. So again thank you so much.”
The trip to Madrid looms large. And those lost hours of recovery? They matter.
THE COMPARISON
Here’s the kicker, Arsenal’s schedule is noticeably kinder.
The Gunners face League One Mansfield in the FA Cup with a 12.45pm kick off . City get a trip to St James’ Park at 8pm. Not quite the same test.
Arsenal’s Champions League tie at Bayer Leverkusen kicks off at 5.45pm next Wednesday . City’s in Madrid? Later start, less recovery time.
It’s only a few hours here and there. But in a title race defined by fine margins, those hours could be massive.
GUARDIOLA’S POINT
The City boss has long argued that English football doesn’t do enough to help clubs competing in Europe. And he’s got a point.
But here’s the thing, City’s fixture list is actually very similar to Arsenal’s over the coming weeks. The two teams play their six March fixtures on the same day as each other . Recovery times are broadly comparable.
The difference is the opposition. Mansfield v Newcastle. Leverkusen v Real Madrid. One is a chance to rest and rotate. The other is a war.
WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID
“As much as you play with the big teams, you’re a better team,” he noted last week.
That’s the flip side. Yes, City have got tougher draws. But beating Newcastle and Real Madrid makes you stronger. It’s an opportunity as much as a problem.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Both sides are chasing history. City want another Premier League. Arsenal want their first in decades. Both want Champions League glory.
The next few weeks will sort the contenders from the pretenders. And Guardiola, for all his grumbling, knows exactly what’s required.
“We have to deal with that,” he shrugged.
No choice, really.
