A compelling Premier League title race reaches a crescendo on Sunday afternoon when either Manchester City or Arsenal will get their hands on the coveted trophy.
Reigning champions City are hot favourites and victory over West Ham at the Etihad will wrap up a fourth successive league crown. However, anything less will open the door for Arsenal, who must beat Everton at home and then hope for a favour from the Hammers in David Moyes ’ swansong.
With the destination of the title still up in the air, the actual trophy won’t be. While the thought of the helicopter, containing the trophy and a box of medals, hovering somewhere in the Midlands ready to zoom off to either Manchester or north London sounds dramatic, it isn’t the reality.
Instead, there will be a version of the trophy at both the Etihad and the Emirates. The silverware already in City’s possession will naturally remain in the situ while the Premier League’s own trophy, used for promotional purposes, has been taken to the Gunners’ home in case it is required.
Neither piece of silverware will be engraved with the victorious club until after the trophy lift while the runners-up must painfully hand their version back to the Premier League. Forty medals apiece have been delivered to each club while podiums and pyrotechnics are in place at both stadiums and will be erected as required, meaning all bases are covered.
Premier League odds and betting tips
Speaking ahead of the finale, City manager Guardiola said: “I know they will be so focused. Everybody knows what we are playing for. It is something we will not live again, none of us, it’s impossible – the chance to win four in a row.
“Not for any of us, in our lives, is it going to happen again. You have to live it, enjoy and think what you have to do during 95, 96, 97 minutes.”
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Premier League chief executive Richard Masters with the Premier League trophy (Michael Regan/Getty Images)Meanwhile, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, who played under Moyes at Everton, hasn't given up hope of snatching the club's first league title since the Invincibles season of 2003/04. The Spaniard said: "That’s the beauty of this industry, that you come across people [like Moyes] that you had experiences with in your life and it’s super important for you personally, and now you need something from them
“Hopefully it will happen. We all know that they [City] are a little bit closer because that’s one game less and they have to play at home, but they’re going to play a really tough opponent.
“We have suffered [against West Ham] this season and over the last few seasons, it is really tough to beat them. I’m sure they’re going to be very at it and hopefully they can help us to achieve our dream.”
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