The best-ever title-deciding showdowns ahead of Manchester City hosting Arsenal

Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal (1988-89) 

A game and a season so good that football's greatest-ever novel was centred around this clash between the top two on the final day of the 1988-89 season. 

The Gunners headed to Anfield needing to beat the all-conquering Liverpool side of the era by two clear goals to lift a first league title for the club since 1971.

Alan Smith gave them the lead early in the second half, but as the clock ticked down, it looked as though Kenny Dalglish's Reds would secure their 18th league crown. 

Cue Michael Thomas' dramatic injury-time moment, as he skipped through the Liverpool defence and commentator Brian Moore announced it was 'up for grabs now' to seal a famous, famous title win. 
 

Newcastle United 0-1 Manchester United (1995-96) 

This game was much earlier in the season, but the context and ramifications of the win made it one of the infamous title races. 

Newcastle had been 12 points ahead of Alex Ferguson's side at one point, but the Red Devils had clawed back the gap to just four points when the sides met at the start of March. 

Eric Cantona's goal settled the game, with Peter Schmeichel keeping the home side at bay, and it led to United overhauling the Magpies by winning seven of their last nine. 

This, despite Kevin Keegan famously declaring how much he would have loved it if Newcastle had beaten the mighty United. 

Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal (1997-98)

This time is was Manchester United's turn to be hunted down, and it would begin a rivalry that would define a Premier League era. 

It was the Red Devils who had the points advantage at the turn of the year, but by the time the pair met at Old Trafford, Arsenal's win saw them go within six points with three games in hand. 

Marc Overmars' winner was then followed by Arsene Wenger's side winning nine games in a row, a run that only ended when the North Londoners secured the Premier League title. 

 

Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal (2001-02)

Another feather in Arsene Wenger's cap during his rivalry with Alex Ferguson, in a game that literally decided the title. 

The Gunners went to Old Trafford knowing a win would secure the championship ahead of the Red Devils, and they delivered exactly that. 

Sylvain Wiltord's goal just before the hour mark was enough to see Arsenal win the title at the ground of their closest challengers. 

It ended up being part of a domestic double for the club that season. 

Manchester United 1-2 Chelsea (2009-10)

The day Chelsea took full advantage in the title race and never looked back on the way to lifting the trophy. 

Manchester United were a point clear with six games to play, but suffered a disastrous month after being knocked out of the Champions League and then losing Wayne Rooney to injury - and the Blues' win put the tin lid on it. 

A memorable goal from Joe Cole and Didier Drogba's winner were enough for Carlo Ancelotti's men to leapfrog United in the table and go on to become champions. 

Although if VAR had existed in 2010, there's doubt Droga's goal would have counted, a real sliding doors moment. 

Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United (2011-12)

2012 will always be remembered for Sergio Aguero's moment on the final day, but that wouldn't have been possible had it not been for their win over United just weeks prior to that dramatic ending. 

United just needed to avoid defeat to their neighbours, having been three points clear going into the showdown at The Etihad. 

However, Vincent Kompany's goal at the end of the first half put City on top thanks to their superior goal difference going into the final two games of the campaign. 

And it was that win and that goal difference that saw City finally land their maiden Premier League crown. 
 

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