Arsenal Told How To Hurt Man City Ahead Of Premier League Clash

Arsenal has been told how to hurt Manchester City when they meet for the first time in the Premier League this season on Wednesday night as Pep Guardiola’s defending champions make the trip to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal still leads Manchester City in the Premier League standings despite losing their last two games.

The Gunners lost to Everton at Goodison Park and drew with Brentford at the Emirates Stadium prior to their title showdown with City on Wednesday.

The two teams have already met this season in the FA Cup, with Pep Guardiola’s side defeating the north Londoners despite the fact that both teams have undergone numerous changes.

READ ALSO: Arsene Wenger Sends Strong Warning To Arsenal Over Premier League Title Chance

The highly anticipated match on February 15 is arguably Mikel Arteta’s most important game as Arsenal manager.

The Gunners’ lead at the top of the table has been cut to three points, but with a victory at the Emirates Stadium this week, they could extend their lead over City to six points.

If Guardiola’s team were to defeat Arsenal, their superior goal differential would allow them to move ahead of Arteta’s squad.

Erling Haaland, the Premier League golden boot leader, is questionable for the match against the Gunners after being substituted at halftime during City’s 3-1 victory over Aston Villa, which brought them within three points of the league leaders.

Gary Neville, a former Manchester United and England defender, has made a bold prediction ahead of this week’s massive matchup, claiming that both teams are capable of causing significant ‘damage’ to one another.

READ ALSO: Oleksandr Zinchenko Setting Up Star-Studded Arsenal v Chelsea Charity Match For Ukraine

Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast: “We’re nowhere near a run-in yet and there’s been a lot of hype over the title in recent weeks. 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.”

Neville added that he believes the Gunners have been the best team in the league this season, but that a loss on Wednesday could derail their title hopes.

READ ALSO:  Arteta Fires Warning At Man City Ahead Of Wednesday Premier League Showdown

The former United star stated, “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.”

Arsenal will have a game in hand following Wednesday’s match, giving them the opportunity to reclaim their league-leading position if they lose to City.

Now that we have passed the halfway point of the season, the pressure on both teams will continue to increase week after week in what could be one of the most exciting championship races in history.