Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes Arsenal's Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City could turn things around in the Premier League title race. He added that the defeat at Wembley will be a major blow to the confidence at the Emirates.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, Neville said that Manchester City needed a boost ahead of the title run-in, and the win over the Gunners is exactly what can help them. He He believes that the pressure is now on Mikel Arteta and his players and said:
"They’ve landed a major blow, Manchester City. The impact that might have… Man City needed something to lift them and they’ve just got it. Arsenal need to recover but Pep Guardiola will be so proud because his team have delivered. They’ve got time to recover, Arsenal, but Mikel has a big job on his hands now."
Neville slammed the Gunners for slowing down the game in the second half, claiming that the negative tactic was a key reason for their loss. He said:
"Kepa has got to get rid of the ball because it’s not helping them this. It’s not helping Arsenal at all. He hasn’t helped himself, not just with that [his error], he was drawing Man City onto him, rolling his foot on the ball. And then this, it’s a really bad one from the goalkeeper. Kepa, it’s a real howler in a massive moment."
"Arsenal have shrunk in this game. What’s happened to them? Mikel Arteta’s team have gone missing, what’s happened to them in this second half? Goalkeepers have got to stop doing that, they take the momentum out the game and you send a message to the opposition that you haven’t got any idea. It’s nonsense." (via Metro)
The Gunners remain in control of the Premier League title as they are nine points clear at the top with seven matches left, while Manchester City have eight matches left this season.
Ian Wright believes Manchester City loss puts pressure on Arsenal in title race
Ian Wright has claimed that the Manchester City loss has put extra pressure on Mikel Arteta's side. He believes that the nine point lead could be cut short to three soon if the Cityzens win their game in hand and defeat the Gunners in April and said:
"It's nine points, but Manchester City have a game in hand and they've got to play them, so it can go down to three. All of a sudden, the pressure really turns up. Make no mistake, this nine points is a tight nine points. Arsenal really need to refocus and get themselves back on track for what they want to do. They need to win games now." (via Sky Sports)
The Gunners travel to face Manchester City on Sunday, April 19.