How Man City has left Arsenal and Wenger trailing in its wake

Arsene Wenger has never attempted to hide his resentment about the ‘financial doping’ he believes has skewed the odds in favor of Arsenal's major rivals over the last decade.

The oil fueled spending of Chelsea and Manchester City has changed the landscape of the Premier League and in the process turned Arsenal from a title contender to a perennial also-ran.

Wenger accepted after the midweek draw with Swansea that Arsenal’s title hopes are over, declaring that the title would be won by ‘unstoppable’ City or Chelsea.

The Frenchman now has to focus on ensuring Arsenal qualifies for the Champions League for a 17th consecutive year and must justify his side's overwhelming status as the favorite to lift the FA Cup, ending a nine-year wait for a trophy.

The next week will be pivotal. On Saturday, the Gunners face Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium before they travel to fifth placed Everton next Sunday.

It must feel like Groundhog Day for Arsenal supporters. The last few years have been played on repeat: faint hope of a title challenge, settle for a top four finish, crash out of the Champions League in the early knockout stages.