Neville sends ‘damage’ warning to Arsenal and Manchester City ahead of Wednesday’s clash
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville thinks whichever side win out of Arsenal and Manchester City on Wednesday will “damage” their opponent for the rest of the season.
The Citizens took advantage of the Gunners’ 1-1 draw against Brentford by beating Aston Villa 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to put pressure on the Premier League leaders.
Man City travel to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday with Pep Guardiola’s side now within three points of Arsenal, although Mikel Arteta’s men have a game in hand.
But Neville feels Guardiola “will really fancy” his team’s chances against the leaders with the former Man Utd defender predicting City could do serious “damage” to their opponents’ title chances.
“We’re nowhere near a run-in yet and there’s been a lot of hype over the title in recent weeks,” Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast.
“Ahead of this game I’m hearing what Sir Alex Ferguson would say all those years ago. I’m not sure Pep Guardiola or Mikel Arteta are wired in the same way but Fergie would be getting right into us.
“He would be getting right into us in the next 48 hours, he would be onto us and be saying, ‘This is it – we win on Wednesday and we win the league.’ He would be saying things like that to us.
“Man City haven’t won the league if they win on Wednesday but the mentality might change. That’s the type of thing Fergie would be saying.
“I think Pep Guardiola will really fancy this against one of his prodigies in Mikel Arteta, who has done a wonderful job this season.
“Arsenal have been the best team so far, but they can be damaged on Wednesday. They can be very damaged. And so can Man City and Arsenal should remember that.
“People will think City are hunting Arsenal down but Arsenal can damage City too because if they play to the levels they can play, they will win the match, because City are not at their level yet.
“If they don’t and they lack courage and conviction – which can happen with teams that haven’t won titles – Man City will go for it.
“It’s a really interesting game but we need to remember there’s still a long way to go in the Premier League title race after.”
