Can there still be a title race play-off between Arsenal and Man City this season?

The Premier League title race looks set for a thrilling finish after Manchester City moved to within touching distance of Arsenal.

Pep Guardiola’s side took control in the battle for the title with a potentially season-defining 2-1 win over the Gunners on Sunday.

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Goals from Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland moved the Citizens to within three points of their nearest rivals.

After leading the way at the Premier League summit since October, Arsenal could soon see their hold on top spot wiped out.

With an inferior goal difference of just one goal, City travel to lowly Burnley for their game in hand on Wednesday knowing that victory will move them above the Gunners into first place.

After the midweek game, the two sides could be level on points with five games left to play each, all of which are must-win.

So, if Arsenal and City finish all square on points and goal difference when the season ends, how will they be separated?

Could the Premier League be decided in a play-off match?

In short, the answer is no.

If two teams are fighting for the title, a spot in Europe or survival, and there is nothing to separate them, then a one-off play-off game can be held to decide who finishes higher.

This has never happened before in Premier League history, and it will not be the case for the league title this season.

That is because of Man City’s crucial win over Arsenal on Sunday, which eliminated the possibility.

Several factors have to fall into place for a play-off to take place, starting with the two teams being level on points after 38 games.

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If they are then tied on goal difference, then the number of goals scored will determine the champions.

At the time of writing, City have scored 67 and Arsenal 65, once again making it possible that they could finish level in this category.

In the unlikely event that the two teams still can’t be split, the side with the superior head-to-head record has the advantage.

And this is where the possibility of a play-off has now been ruled out.

Man City’s 2-1 win over the Gunners on Sunday means that they now that they now have the upper hand in this metric, and will win the Premier League if it comes down to this factor.

Had the game stayed 1-1 on Sunday, the two teams could have mirrored each other on every statistical tie-breaker.

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Has the Premier League ever been decided on goal difference?

History is on City’s side here, who are currently the only club in Premier League history to win a title via goal difference.

That came in unforgettable circumstances in 2012, when Sergio Aguero scored a legendary stoppage-time winner against Queen’s Park Rangers on the final day of the season.

This saw the Sky Blues finish level on points with city rivals Manchester United, but pinched the league on goal difference.

City and United both finished the campaign on 89 points, but City had a superior goal difference of +64 compared to United’s +56, handing them their first-ever Premier League title.

While Citizens will have fond memories of their 2012 triumph, they will be hoping to wrap things up with slightly less drama this year.

However, with a crucial run of games remaining for both sides, the season surely looks set to go right to the wire in a thrilling finale.