Arsenal lost the hand in the title race by being held in check at home (3-3) by the red lantern, Southampton, Friday. The Gunners' five-point lead is indeed a trompe-l'oeil since, in addition to next Wednesday's clash, City have two games less.
Only a win at the Etihad would allow the Londoners to regain the upper hand, but in their current form, it seems quite unrealistic, as the Citizens have taken 25 points from a possible 27.