"They shouldn't be nervous" - Gary Neville sends message to Arsenal ahead of potential title-decider against Manchester City
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has advised Arsenal to embrace their underdog status and play confidently in their upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester City.
Arsenal travel to the Etihad for their potential title-deciding clash with Manchester City on Wednesday (April 26). The Gunners have a five-point lead over second-placed City atop the standings. However, Mikel Arteta’s side have played two more games.
The North London club are coming into the game off three consecutive draws in the Premier League, while the Cityzens are on a six-game winning run. At home, City will be the overwhelming favourites to get a positive result against the league leaders. Neville, though, reckons Arsenal should use that opportunity to play without fear in the reigning champions' backyard.
They shouldn’t be nervous tonight . It’s the game where they are underdog and not expected to win! twitter.com/trevorsallis1/…
When a fan suggested that the Londoners would be nervous for Wednesday’s game, Neville replied:
“They shouldn’t be nervous tonight. It’s the game where they are the underdogs and not expected to win!”
The Gunners have not beaten Manchester City in 11 Premier League games. The Londoners have netted only thrice in their last ten meetings with City, not scoring in seven. Guardiola’s boys only require a draw to take control of the Premier League title race.
Mikel Arteta says Manchester City clash will not define Arsenal’s season
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has played down the importance of his team’s Premier League clash with Manchester City. He said that while the game is important, it will not decide the title race for either contender.
At a pre-match press conference, the Spaniard said (via GOAL):
"It’s going to be a tough night and challenge, but the opportunity is incredible for us. We have to go to City, and we have to beat them. If you want to be champions, you have to win those matches. It’s as simple as that.
“We wanted to close that gap as much as we possibly could, and we are toe to toe with them. We know we have to go to the Etihad, we know that after that we have five very difficult games. So that game is going to be really important. Is it going to define our season? The answer is no.”
He concluded:
“If we win, we haven’t won the league, that's for sure. It will shift a little bit the percentage, but five games in this league with the games we both still have to play, very tricky still.”
Arsenal come into the game without their trusted centre-back William Saliba. With The Frenchman sidelined with a back issue, the Gunners have drawn three of their last five Premier League games.
Without the towering Saliba, the visitors could have a tough time keeping the mercurial Erling Haaland at bay. City haven't lost at home to the Gunners in the league in eight years.