“City would be disappointed” — Gary Neville

Manchester United icon Gary Neville has emphasized the significance of Arsenal’s upcoming clash against Manchester City, suggesting that the Gunners’ Premier League title aspirations hinge on securing victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

As Arsenal currently leads the league table with 10 matches remaining, Neville underscored the pivotal nature of the impending fixture, particularly in light of the Gunners’ close pursuit of their first league title since the 2003-2004 season.

Reflecting on Arsenal’s near-miss in the previous campaign, where they held the top spot for 248 days but faltered in the final weeks, Neville expressed belief in Mikel Arteta’s side’s ability to go the distance this time. However, he stressed that success hinges on a triumphant outing against the reigning champions.

In his analysis on The Overlap, Neville outlined the demanding nature of the league run-in, emphasizing the need for Arsenal to maintain momentum by securing a victory against Manchester City.

He acknowledged City’s formidable consistency, suggesting that they are capable of stringing together a series of wins, while casting doubt on Arsenal’s ability to replicate such a feat.

“But that’s why I think [Sunday is] so important. City would be disappointed with a draw but I think to damage them, and to give you the full belief, I think you need to win.”

Nevertheless, Neville underscored the potential psychological boost that a victory over City would provide for Arsenal, instilling a sense of belief and resilience necessary for a sustained title challenge.