The executive director of the Premier League, Richard Masters, made his choice between two matches with the teams claiming the title.
To win the Premier League title for the fourth time in a row, Manchester City need only defeat West Ham at home next Sunday.
At the same time, Arsenal, who host Everton at home in the final round, will have little victory of their own — the Gunners also need a misfire from City.
And although City’s formal chances of winning the championship look much higher than Arsenal’s, Masters decided that he would attend the Emirates on Sunday, and not the Etihad.
Thus, in any case, Masters will not have to transfer the Premier League Cup into the hands of Josep Guardiola’s team.
The BBC attributes this decision by Masters to the fact that the Premier League has an unresolved conflict with City. More than a year ago, the league accused the “citizens” of 115 violations of the rules of financial fair play, but the club categorically denies being wrong.