At a Glance:
Nigel Winterburn spoke exclusively to ReadArsenal, via Gambling.com
The former left-back discussed Arsenal’s recent struggles and the upcoming game against Manchester City.
He still believes the Gunners will win the Premier League title.
Nigel Winterburn was famously part of Arsenal’s heroic back four that won two league titles under George Graham, and now, he hopes the current-day Gunners defence can leave North London having built a similar legacy.
Born and raised in the Midlands, Winterburn developed through Birmingham City’s academy before settling at Wimbledon. Impressed by the left-back’s exploits in South London, Graham brought Winterburn to Highbury in 1987 for £350,000.
From there, the imperious defender never looked back. Making 584 appearances for Arsenal, Winterburn won three league titles in total with the Gunners, as well as two FA Cups, the League Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
He’s hoping Mikel Arteta’s current crop of players can replicate some of his successes. Speaking to ReadArsenal via Gambling.com, who help you find the safest online casinos, Winterburn delved deeper into Arsenal’s upcoming showdown with Manchester City, concerns over recent performances and the Gunners’ ultimate credentials as champions.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Nigel Winterburn on Arsenal’s game against Manchester City on Sunday
After Arsenal’s defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, the Gunners now have little room for error in the title race. They sit six points clear of the Citizens, who have a game in hand, while the two teams are set to meet this weekend at the Etihad.
If City come out on top in Manchester, then Arsenal are in trouble. Pep Guardiola’s team will have all the momentum, and the North Londoners might start to wilt.
Speaking to ReadArsenal, Winterburn discussed Arsenal’s approach for this crucial game against City. He emphasised the importance of belief, desire, and not losing the game, despite City potentially having the momentum.
He noted that while the stats may show a close points difference between the teams over the last 6-10 games, Arsenal’s end goal should be winning the match to potentially take the title.
If the Gunners do indeed come away with all three points, they’ll be in the driving seat. This will open up a nine-point gap again, and Arsenal would merely need ten points from their remaining five games to lift the title.
Nigel Winterburn on Arsenal’s recent performances and Premier League title credentials
Arsenal have been berated for their performance against Bournemouth, and rightly so. The Gunners were abject for large periods against the Cherries, struggling to create anything of note whilst looking vulnerable to Bournemouth’s long balls and aggressive pressing.
Winterburn expressed concerns about Arsenal’s display on Saturday, citing their poor passing and lack of rhythm as particularly worrying aspects of their showing. That said, he attributed these failings to nervousness, rather than a lack of ability or tactical deficiencies.
He also maintained confidence in Arsenal’s ability to win the league this season despite recent setbacks. Predicting City to finish second, the former full-back thinks Manchester United will end up in third place, Aston Villa fourth, and Liverpool fifth.
When asked about Arteta’s future if Arsenal fail to win the title, Winterburn strongly rejected the idea, calling it disrespectful to both the manager and the club, and advised waiting until the end of the season for any performance reviews.
He compared the current situation to Arsenal’s near-miss in 1989, and emphasised that the team should focus on upcoming crucial matches rather than speculation about the manager’s future.