Arsenal told one Premier League club has already cost them the title – and it's not Aston Villa

Bacary Sagna has pinpointed the 'turning point' in the Premier League title race. Arsenal currently lead Manchester City by a point, but the reigning champions have a game in hand – which could be season-defining.

Last term, the Gunners established a five-point lead over Pep Guarduiola's side before falling at the final hurdle after losing William Saliba due to injury. This season, Arsenal have managed to keep their key players fit and they now look set to take Manchester City down to the wire.

While Mikel Arteta has done well to rival his former boss this term, Sagna believes the north Londoners could still miss out on first place. Speaking to Paddy Power, the former Premier League defender pinpointed the two games which could cost Arsenal their first top flight title in 20 years.

"It’s difficult to explain what Arsenal need to do to win the league – they have the quality in every single position," said Sagna. "They've been consistent and they’re having a great season. The only thing they might regret is losing to Fulham away and drawing at home.

"For me, that was a turning point – they dropped important points in those two games. Arsenal are a top team, but they ended up losing and drawing games they should’ve won.

"They’ve been more mature, but those games will cost them a lot. They are still in contention; they’ve managed to be up there, and they deserve a lot of credit. A few years ago, they were standing in the same position as Manchester United are in today. The club is back to its best."

READ MORE: Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham wage bill compared to Premier League rivals

READ MORE: Why Arsenal and Chelsea lead PSG in the race to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli

Gary Neville has also doubted Arsenal's chances, claiming the title could be decided this weekend when Manchester City face Fulham at Craven Cottage before the Gunners lock horns with Manchester United at Old Trafford a day later.

Speaking on his Sky Sports podcast, the former Red Devils defender said: "A few weeks ago when I said Arsenal had to be perfect and they have just had that one slip-up against Aston Villa, there’s an inevitability of City at this stage of the season, getting the job done, knowing what they need to do.

"They have got that difficult game against Spurs on paper in 10 days but the way Spurs are at this moment in time I think it will be difficult for them against a City side playing for the title, it will be a difficult proposition.

"As I sit here this weekend, Arsenal and City played really well and did their jobs but you wonder where the title race is going to twist. Where is the twist? City don’t give you twists.

"You always said in years gone by, there will be a twist and turn, something will happen, I’m not sure it is going to happen. What normally happens in these moments is if City win on the Saturday, Arsenal drop points on the Sunday and City win the title on the Tuesday.

"That’s what normally happens. It may go to the final day and if it does then it means Arsenal have beaten Man United at Old Trafford. If Arsenal go win at Old Trafford that’s a hell of a win. I have that fear the title race could be over a week on Tuesday.

"I want the title race to go to the final day, my fear is it won’t if City win on Saturday against Fulham and United take points off Arsenal on the Sunday. Arsenal have already proven they are a different side than last season but just feels like an inevitability City will be perfect until the end."