Manchester City became the latest team that failed to beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this season.
Pep Guardiola’s men were held to a goalless draw on New Year’s Day.
The implications of that result became more obvious on Saturday, after Arsenal battled to a 3-2 victory over Bournemouth.
Powered by the drive and quality of the fit-again Declan Rice, the Gunners took maximum points from the Vitality Stadium and are now seven points clear of City.
So City know that only a win against Chelsea will do.
The Blues arrive at the Etihad without a permanent manager, after the club parted ways with Enzo Maresca earlier this week.
Chelsea’s U-21 coach, Calum McFarlane, will lead the team out against the former champions.
Although McFarlane is likely to be in place for just one game, his plan will be to get a decent result against City and keep Chelsea in the running for a top-four finish.
It will indeed be a tricky one for Guardiola, who was preparing to face his former assistant.
However, whatever the Spaniard comes up against on Sunday, he must find answers to, or Arsenal will start getting out of sight.
EPL: Man City vs Chelsea – A tricky game for Guardiola
EPL: Man City vs Chelsea – A tricky game for Guardiola
