In a significant off-pitch development today, the Premier League has reportedly denied a request from Manchester City to reschedule two of their remaining fixtures.
City, who trail league leaders Arsenal by three points with a game in hand, had asked to swap the order of their encounters with Bournemouth and Crystal Palace.
The Citizens were hoping to avoid a grueling run of four games in 12 days, which includes the FA Cup final against Chelsea on 16 May.
Etihad chiefs had argued that reordering the matches would allow for an eight-day spread rather than seven, helping to manage the physical toll on the squad.
However, the Premier League has stuck to its original protocols, prioritizing the home clash with Palace on 13 May.
This decision is viewed as a major boost for Arsenal, as Pep Guardiola’s side must now navigate a relentless schedule while attempting to close the gap at the summit.
City know that winning their final five matches will likely secure the title, but the lack of recovery time between pivotal matches has added a fresh layer of tension to the title race.