Title Race: Who has the stamina out of Arsenal, Leicester and Man City to be champions?

NEWS NEWS BLOG SPORT has examined the strengths and weaknesses of the three sides in the Premier League title race.

 

Between Arsenal and Manchester City, the two clubs have 5 Premier League trophies

 

Arsenal: 1st 43 points (GD 16)

Strengths

Arsene Wenger's side have moved to the summit with influential duo Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez both being sidelined since late November.

Their return will bolster Arsenal's options and imbue confidence that this can be the season they end a 12-year wait for title.

Wenger will not be thinking as such, but elimination in the last 16 of the Champions League to competition favourites Barcelona would also narrow their focus to domestic matters.

Weaknesses

While there remain doubts about the depth of Arsenal's squad, the biggest concerns will surround their mental strength and the know-how of scrambling over the line.

There have been times since 2004 when Arsenal have been well-placed only to fail to recover from a setback.

Wenger will hope Joe Allen's 90th-minute equaliser for Liverpool on Wednesday was not the beginning of the end.

Next five fixtures: Stoke (a), Chelsea (h), Southampton (h), Bournemouth (a), Leicester (h)

 

Leicester: 2nd 43 pts (GD 13)

Strengths

There is an indefatigable spirit within Claudio Ranieri's squad that continues to drive Leicester, pushing them on when they have been written off.

The Boxing Day defeat by Liverpool and subsequent goalless draws with Manchester City and Bournemouth was supposed to mark their downturn.

The win over Tottenham showed they are going nowhere. Do not underestimate the fact the pressure remains on their rivals. Ranieri will gladly hope that changes come May.

Weaknesses

The reliance on Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez remains an obvious point but their last three goals in all competitions have been spread around (Wasilewski, Okazaki and Huth).

Leicester have no European commitments but consecutive fixtures against Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal at the start of next month will shape them.

Next five fixtures: Aston Villa (a), Stoke (h), Liverpool (h), Man City (a) Arsenal (a)

 

Manchester City: 3rd 40pts (GD 18)

Strengths

They have the best squad in the Premier League and possess the know-how of what it takes to the win the title given their successes in 2012 and 2014.

The attacking impetus of Aguero, Sterling, De Bruyne and Silva should be able to over-ride the defensive excesses that have reared in the absence of Kompany.

City also have the deepest pockets and could reinforce at any point between now and the end of the month.

Weaknesses

Pep Guardiola's shadow looms large over Manuel Pellegrini and going into the part of the campaign where he must drive the team that is a considerable pressure. One week Silva starts, then he is out. Sterling is in and then he is out.

City's players will not blame themselves if they suffer a setback but instead look at a manager who is perceived to be vulnerable. That can have a destabilising effect as the countdown to May begins in earnest.

Next five fixtures: Crystal Palace (h), West Ham (a), Sunderland (a), Leicester (h), Tottenham (h)