"Anything can happen." That's Micah Richards' warning to Arsenal, and he's not just commentating — he was in that Manchester City dressing room in 2012 when Sergio Agüero stole the title from United with the last kick of the season.
Arsenal sit two points clear at the top of the Premier League with two games left. Win both and the Gunners lift their 14th league title. On paper, it's theirs to lose. But Richards, speaking to Sky Sports after City's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace, knows better than most how quickly that comfort can dissolve into panic.
Even Kompany Was Fidgeting
"I remember looking to Vincent Kompany, and he's normally just in the zone, but he was fidgeting," Richards recalled of that final day in 2012. Kompany. One of the most composed defenders of his generation. Fidgeting before kickoff.
That's what a title run-in does to people. Richards described a dressing room where the usual leaders couldn't settle those around them because they were barely settled themselves. "There was a nervous feeling" — and that City squad had experienced players, serial winners across Europe. Arsenal's group is facing this moment for the first time.
"Arsenal are going through that, and there'll be things that they've had along the season where it gets you up, it gets you down," Richards said. "But even with the experienced players that we had, there were always nerves — and that's why if it goes down to the last game of the season, anything can happen."
The Run-In on Paper vs. Reality
Arsenal face Burnley — already relegated — and Crystal Palace, who are 15th and have nothing to play for. Both results from earlier in the season were wins, but neither was comfortable. City, meanwhile, must beat Bournemouth and Aston Villa, both chasing Champions League football and far more motivated opposition.
On that basis, Arsenal's path looks easier. Their title odds reflect it. But motivation alone doesn't always decide these games — and if Arsenal stumble in the first of those two fixtures, the pressure shifts dramatically. City need Arsenal to drop points. Every percentage point matters once that dynamic kicks in.
There's also the small matter of the Champions League final sitting somewhere in the background for Arsenal's players. Arteta will say the focus is only on the next game. He's right to say it. Whether the squad actually manages it is a different question entirely.
Richards thinks it goes to the final day. He's been there. He knows what that dressing room looks like.
