Mikel Arteta has distilled the high-pressure drama of a Premier League title run-in into one clear, crucial lesson. As his Arsenal side prepares for a seismic clash with Manchester City this Sunday, the manager's focus is razor-sharp: availability is everything.

Reflecting on the painful conclusions of the last two campaigns, where Arsenal led for long stretches only to be overtaken by City in the final weeks, Arteta pinpointed the decisive factor. "Get all the players available in April," he stated plainly. "That’s the biggest lesson. April, May, the whole squad available, your best players on the pitch as much as possible. Probability to win it increases dramatically."

This wisdom is being tested right now. The Gunners' recent 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth has allowed City to close the gap, and Arteta faces a mounting injury list ahead of the Etihad showdown. Key attacker Bukayo Saka is ruled out, while captain Martin Ødegaard and defenders Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are also sidelined. With just six games remaining, the squad's depth and resilience will be pushed to the limit.

It’s the ultimate test of a title contender's mettle. Can Arsenal, armed with the hard-earned experience of past heartbreaks, finally hold their nerve and their position at the summit? The answer may well depend on who is fit to wear the shirt during these decisive final weeks. For Arteta, the path to glory is, as he puts it, as simple—and as challenging—as that.