We have seen this movie before. Arsenal will be tired of having to watch it over and over again.
Mikel Arteta’s side have the remote control in hand but cannot change the channel.
There’s nothing they can do about it now, it’s beyond their control. They rely on an unexpected twist in the script.
Manchester City have climbed to the top of the Premier League with two games to play – goals from Josko Gvardiol, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez here at thrilling Craven Cottage enough to secure their seventh successive top-flight victory.
You’d be a brave man to bet that’s where they end up when the season reaches its climax next Sunday.
Manchester City comfortably defeated Fulham to return to pole position in the title race
The defending champions were ruthless from the opening whistle at Craven Cottage
The 4-0 win extended their extraordinary unbeaten run to 21 games in the league
Like a juggernaut with defective brake pads, this team – when it matters most – is unstoppable and destroys everything in their path.
What a ruthless outfit they are. This will be their fourth consecutive title, not even Sir Alex Ferguson can boast such excellence.
We should not be surprised; their undeniable talent for crossing the line when the stakes are highest, something we almost take for granted.
They have not lost a league match since December 6 – a run of 21 games.
They haven’t lost in 90 minutes and 33 games – their Champions League penalty shoot-out loss to Real Madrid was the only blemish, albeit a significant one, on their copy book.
But their ruthless ability to keep racking up wins deserves more credit.
They have set a standard that is simply unparalleled; their ability to perform under immense pressure is a sight to behold.
Arsenal travel to Manchester United on Sunday, where anything short of a win would certainly mark the beginning of the end.
Of course, victory at Old Trafford will see the Gunners move above City ahead of their final game of the season against Everton on Sunday.
But they now live by prayer. If City are victorious in their last two games (against Tottenham and West Ham), they will be champions. Again.
There’s a part of you that almost feels sorry for Arteta’s side.
They kept their end of the bargain: 44 points out of a possible 48, hardly the order of a team that relinquished the title with a whimper.
But there are levels to this game – and City is one level above.
Every week, Arsenal’s hopes of a first title in twenty years faded a little.
Saturday’s victory also ended Liverpool’s chances of catching the Citizens this season
But Nathan Aké’s limping in the first half will be a cause for concern for the champions
The introduction of Adama Traore at half-time offered the hosts a glimmer of hope
But Phil Foden ended any chance of a comeback by doubling City’s lead on the hour mark
The 23-year-old is now seventh in the league scoring charts with 17 goals this season
Gvardiol then added a second to his score to put the result beyond doubt heading into the closing stages
Not necessarily through their own fault – although their mid-winter slump, including a defeat here at Craven Cottage, and last month’s home loss to Aston Villa appear to be decisive setbacks – but because of City’s relentless brilliance.
When City are involved there is no room for error. Arsenal will agree.
Here at Fulham, Pep Guardiola’s team achieved their latest victory with the kind of ease that should leave Arsenal braced for disappointment.
Second gear, sometimes maybe third gear; but nothing approaches their breathtaking best. Not that it mattered, as City dismissed Fulham with great ease.
Furthermore, Arsenal’s once-yawning goal difference advantage – a factor that could still be crucial – has now been reduced to two.
Noel Gallagher, positioned on the away end here in West London, certainly approved. Hugh Grant sat just in front of the press box and was less than grateful, with the Hollywood star leaving before the final whistle.
City’s first arrived in the 13th minute, Gvardiol exchanging passes with Kevin De Bruyne before coolly firing past Bernd Leno.
It was beach weather in West London, the sun shining on the lush lawn here at Craven Cottage.
Was this result down to Fulham’s players having one eye on their summer holidays, or was it simply a result of City’s brilliance? Probably somewhere in the middle.
Not that it’s relevant at this point in the season; wins are all that matter. City knows that better than any team in the world.
However, there was concern in the 22nd minute when Nathan Ake limped off and was replaced by Kyle Walker with what appeared to be an ankle injury.
By introducing Adama Traore at half-time, Fulham put the cat among the pigeons for a short period.
Try as they might, Fulham couldn’t even lay a glove on Pep Guardiola’s side
City made several changes in the closing stages as Tuesday’s match against Tottenham loomed
They were no less dominant after the substitutions, with Julian Alvarez winning a penalty after being brought down by Issa Diop
The Argentinian then converted the penalty in stoppage time to complete the defeat
Who knows how the match would have gone if Rodrigo Muniz had finished in the 57th minute after Traore’s pass.
City were happy they didn’t have to find out. Phil Foden doubled City’s lead with a flawless finish past Leno after excellent work from Bernardo Silva before Gvardiol scored his fifth goal in seven games in the 71st minute to put his team on easy street.
Guardiola had the luxury of taking De Bruyne, Foden and Erling Haaland off the pitch in the closing stages as his attention turned to Tuesday’s trip to Spurs.
Issa Diop was sent off for a second yellow card deep into service time in the incident that led to Julian Alvarez spotting City’s fourth from the spot.
City can smell the title now. On the other hand, Arsenal need Tottenham to please them.
Good luck. You’ll need it.