Manchester City’s second half struggles examined amid Arsenal advantage

Seventh in table 

Manchester City were handed a gigantic incentive in the title race on Wednesday night when Arsenal capitulated against Wolves. It was the first time in Premier League history that the league leaders had surrendered a two-goal lead against a team in the relegation places and it felt like a pivotal moment in the season. Mikel Arteta’s have sat top of the table since October and still hold a five-point advantage at the summit but Manchester City have played one game fewer and it’s in their hands.

If Pep Guardiola’s men win their remaining 13 fixtures, including a showdown with Arsenal at home on April 18th, then they will be crowned champions. Man City have notoriously embarked on incredible winning runs across the closing stages of the season and they’ll be hoping history repeats itself. It all starts with a tough assignment against Newcastle United tomorrow night and we’ve analysed City’s struggles in the second half this season.

Manchester City’s second half struggles

No Premier League club has scored fewer second half goals in 2026 than Man City, which is a surprising statistic for one of the best teams in the world. Incredibly, City’s only two second half goals this year arrived in stoppage time in the crucial comeback win over Liverpool at Anfield. That triumph realistically kept City in the title race but those two strikes remain their second half efforts across eight league games in 2026 – Manchester United lead the way with 11.

City’s struggles in the second half this year have been costly as it’s cost them four points in consecutive games at the Etihad. Chelsea scored a last-minute equaliser in early January before Karou Mitoma secured a point for Brighton just three days later in another 1-1 draw. City also lost two second half goals in the 2-0 defeat in the Manchester derby and it’s been a fairly consistent pattern across the season. Analysing the league table based purely on second half goals this season, Manchester City would actually sit seventh, 13 points behind Arsenal, which highlights the trend.