SOCCER: Man City smell blood but Arsenal must focus on 'monstrous' game, says Neville

LONDON — Arsenal are being urged to “flip the narrative” and take a decisive step toward the Premier League title when they face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, according to former Manchester United defender and pundit Gary Neville.

Neville, a multiple Premier League title winner during his playing career, said Arsenal must focus on securing a statement result against reigning champions Manchester City, especially after City capitalized on Arsenal’s recent slip with a dominant win over Chelsea.

City are now six points behind Mikel Arteta’s side with a game in hand, setting up Sunday’s clash as a potential title-defining encounter. A win for City would tighten the race significantly and shift momentum toward Pep Guardiola’s team.

Arsenal’s recent form has raised questions after a home defeat to Bournemouth, following earlier setbacks including a League Cup final loss to City and an FA Cup exit against second-tier Southampton. The results have fueled debate over whether the London club are beginning to struggle under pressure in a tight title race.

However, Neville believes Arsenal still control their own destiny.

“Arsenal have to concentrate on what they’re going to do to Man City next Sunday,” Neville said. “Arsenal can win the league next weekend — that won’t be a popular narrative this week but that’s the fact of it.

“Everyone is thinking City will get to within three points, but if you’re Arsenal you can win your first title in 22 years next week. That’s how they should look at it.”

He added that the match could define the entire Premier League season, noting City’s strong momentum and the advantage of a full week to prepare.

“Manchester City are smelling blood and have a free week to prepare for a monstrous clash,” he said.

Arsenal currently sit on 70 points from 32 matches, while City have 64 from 31. A victory for Arsenal would put them firmly in control of the title race and within touching distance of their first league crown since 2004, having finished runners-up in each of the past three seasons.

Arsenal have not won a Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium in 11 years, although their last two visits ended in draws. The challenge is compounded by City’s exceptional record in April under Guardiola, having won 29 of their last 32 league matches during the month.

Should City win Sunday’s clash and follow it up with victory against relegation-threatened Burnley, they could move to the top of the table with five games remaining, placing significant psychological pressure on Arsenal.

Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney also weighed in on the title race, suggesting City’s experience and Guardiola’s influence could prove decisive in the run-in.

“I think City will have the edge on that, just purely the manager and players they’ve got,” Rooney said. “They will be able to stay a little calmer than the Arsenal players.”

City manager Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of preparation ahead of the showdown, noting his side’s focus and freshness going into the fixture.

“It’s important because we are six points behind them. If they beat us, it’s over. If we draw also,” Guardiola said. “Now we prepare, relax, don’t listen much. The team feels fresh, everyone is there.”

Arsenal’s schedule adds further complexity, with a midweek Champions League tie against Sporting, where they will defend a 1-0 first-leg advantage, leaving Arteta’s squad with limited recovery time ahead of their trip to Manchester.

With the title race finely balanced, Sunday’s encounter is set to be one of the defining matches of the season, with both clubs aware that the outcome could shape the destination of the Premier League trophy. -Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters