Premier League: Gary Neville makes stark prediction for Man City vs Arsenal

Gary Neville thinks Arsenal's Premier League showdown with Manchester City could be defining not only for the season but for Mikel Arteta's squad.

The Gunners journey to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday for a face-off with the reigning English top-flight champions.

Currently, City trail Arsenal by one point, with the North London club occupying the top spot in the table. However, Liverpool closely follows in second place, tied on points with Arsenal but trailing on goal difference. 

This encounter marks the latest clash in the football calendar for the champions, following their recent draw against Jurgen Klopp's side earlier this month.

Liverpool managed to secure a draw against City after trailing, yet they also had ample opportunities to clinch victory. Additionally, there was controversy surrounding a penalty decision that went against them, as Jeremy Doku avoided punishment for a high boot.

Meanwhile, Neville believes Arsenal must win but it is a match that could be defining for the current crop of players at the Emirates Stadium.

"It’s a beautiful game for Arsenal in the sense that you go back 12 months and there’s a direct parallel between last season and this season. I always said at the end of the last season when they struggled, I just want to see them in that situation again on a run-in, against City, against the big teams and see how they handle it.

"We all probably feel the same that they’re going to handle it better than they did last year because they’d already started to dip a little bit. This is the start of the run-in, it’s real, it’s happening now. On Sunday, it’s huge. It’s a crossroads game.

"I think these games can sometimes signify and create history. You will look back as Arsenal, if you win on Sunday and win this league, as the defining moment. There are all these games that you look back on over 15, 20 years. That match is here now.

"I’m not saying there aren’t another eight games to go and other big tests because you could win on Sunday and lose three games after that but I don’t think you would. I think if [Arsenal] won on Sunday, confidence would be huge and City’s would be dented slightly.

"To me, it’s a defining game for that group of players and for that manager. As a young manager, he’s got to show and demonstrate that he can live in that arena with Klopp and Guardiola and handle these big moments," he added. "I think [Arsenal] need to win on Sunday because you’ve got to imagine that City are going to be perfect.

"Unfortunately, we’ve got to the point of the season where City always go and win eight matches on the bounce. I don’t think Arsenal will. The reason I say [Arsenal] have to win is because I’m not quite sure who is going to take points off City on the journey," he continued.

Comments

Submit