Gary Neville has advised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to kick back and enjoy the Premier League showdown between title contenders Liverpool and Manchester City. The Gunners reduced the gap on both teams on Saturday, courtesy of a 5-2 victory over West Ham at the London Stadium.
First-half goals from Gabriel, Leandro Trossard, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka ensured they bagged all three points from the match. This result propelled Arsenal above Man City and into second place in the Premier League standings.
It also helped them trim the lead of table-toppers Liverpool to six points. The match took place just under 24 hours before Liverpool lock horns with Man City at Anfield.
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It's a fixture Arsenal will be keenly observing, as the outcome could influence the title race in one way or another. Post the triumph over West Ham, Neville suggested Arteta to sit back and savor the clash between Arsenal's two rivals after his squad did their part.
"It is a really good night for Arsenal, who were outstanding for the first half an hour," he shared with Sky Sports. "It comes with a little 'but' in the encouragement they gave West Ham in conceding those two goals.
"But Arteta will be content and he can now sit back and unwind and watch Liverpool and Man City tomorrow, the other two teams who genuinely have a shot at winning the title, and see where they stand.", reports Football London.
It appears that Arteta is heeding the advice of the former Man United player. Responding in his post-match press conference, Arteta answered when asked if he will be tuning in for the game.
"100 percent," he enthused. "It's a big match, a beautiful match to watch. Two of the best teams in Europe facing each other. So it's a big one."