Manchester City have reduced the gap to Arsenal to just six points ahead of Sunday’s crunch clash between the two Premier League title race rivals at the Etihad Stadium
Connor O'Neill Senior Sports Content Creator
20:26, 13 Apr 2026
Roy Keane and Gary Neville had differing opinions on Arsenal
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Roy Keane and Gary Neville had differing opinions on Arsenal(Image: (GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images))
Roy Keane has disagreed with Gary Neville’s claim that Arsenal need to beat Manchester City this weekend. But the former Manchester United midfielder does believe that Mikel Arteta’s side will never forgive themselves if they don't end up becoming Premier League champions.
City have reduced the gap to Arsenal to just six points ahead of Sunday’s crunch clash between the two championship rivals at the Etihad Stadium. The Gunners were beaten 2-1 by Bournemouth at the Emirates on Saturday before Pep Guardiola’s side hammered Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.
And Neville believes that Arteta’s side not only need to win a game that shakes the world, but they have got to go to City next week and come away with all three points.
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However, Keane disagreed with his former team-mate’s call, saying: "Obviously they are going to try and win the game; you try to win every game you are involved in.
“But I don’t agree with Nev that you have to go there and win and what did he say? Rock the world. I wouldn’t go that far.
“You have to go out and perform and try and get a positive result. You don’t have to go gung-ho; remember Man City earlier in the season went down to Arsenal and they were happy to sit in, and that is a Man City team that has won lots of trophies.
“So whatever happens on the day, you have to find a way to win, but I don’t believe they have to go there and put a marker down, they have to perform and the draw is not the end of the world for them.”
Manchester City players celebrate
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Manchester City secured victory over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon after Arsenal lost to Bournemouth(Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal’s defeat against the Cherries followed consecutive domestic losses to City in the Carabao Cup final and against Southampton in the FA Cup.
Although Arteta has come under the microscope for some of the calls he has made, Keane added on Sky Sports: “This is on the players now, Jamie. I think the manager has got to do his bit the position they have got themselves into and the squad they have.
“We will find out now what kind of characters these Arsenal lads are over the next three, four, five weeks. What they are made of.
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“That is what challenges you. Not being best mates with everybody, falling out with each other because if they slip up here, they will never forgive themselves.”
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