Arsenal remain ahead of Manchester City in the Premier League table despite having failed to win in their last two games. The Gunners suffered defeat against Everton at Goodison Park before drawing against Brentford at the Emirates Stadium ahead of their title clash against City on Wednesday.
The two teams have already faced each other once this season in the FA Cup with Pep Guardiola's side beating the north Londoners despite both sides making a number of changes. The highly anticipated match on Wednesday, February 15 is arguably Mikel Arteta's biggest game in charge of Arsenal.
The Gunners' lead at the top of the table has been cut to three points, but they could extend their advantage over City to six points with a win at the Emirates Stadium this week. Should Guardiola's side beat Arsenal, the reigning champions would move above Arteta's team due to their superior goal difference.
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Premier League golden boot leader Erling Haaland is a doubt for the clash against the Gunners after he was taken off at half-time during City's 3-1 win against Aston Villa that saw them move within three points of the league leaders. Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville has made a bold prediction ahead of the huge clash this week and believes both teams are capable of causing serious 'damage' to each other.
Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast: "We’re nowhere near a run-in yet and there’s been a lot of hype over the title in recent weeks. Ahead of this game I’m hearing what Sir Alex Ferguson would say all those years ago.
"I’m not sure Pep Guardiola or Mikel Arteta are wired in the same way but Fergie would be getting right into us. He would be getting right into us in the next 48 hours, he would be onto us and be saying, 'This is it – we win on Wednesday and we win the league'.
"He would be saying things like that to us. Man City haven’t won the league if they win on Wednesday but the mentality might change.
"That’s the type of thing Fergie would be saying. I think Pep Guardiola will really fancy this against one of his prodigies in Mikel Arteta, who has done a wonderful job this season."
Neville added that he feels that the Gunners have been the best team in the league this season but that their title challenge could be derailed by a poor result on Wednesday. The former United star said: "Arsenal have been the best team so far, but they can be damaged on Wednesday.
"They can be very damaged. And so can Man City and Arsenal should remember that.
"People will think City are hunting Arsenal down. But Arsenal can damage City too because if they play to the levels they can play, they will win the match, because City are not at their level yet.
"If they don’t and they lack courage and conviction – which can happen with teams that haven’t won titles – Man City will go for it. It’s a really interesting game but we need to remember there’s still a long way to go in the Premier League title race after."
Arsenal will have a game in hand following the match on Wednesday, giving them the opportunity to reclaim their lead at the top of the table if they were to lose against City. Now we are past the halfway mark in the campaign, the pressure will continue to build on both teams week after week in what could be one of the most exciting title races in history.
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