Gary Neville has explained why Arsenal's recent collapse could be a boost to Mikel Arteta ahead of their decisive clash in the title race against Manchester City. The Gunners sit five points clear of City following their late rally against Southampton where Bukayo Saka's goal saw them salvage a draw.
Pep Guardiola's men being in FA Cup action now means the reigning champions have two games in hand over the Gunners, with the two title rivals facing off at Etihad Stadium next Wednesday. After dropping points in their last three games, Arteta and his players must leave Manchester with three points if they wish to regain the advantage.
Following their 3-3 draw against Southampton, Neville explained why Arsenal's recent struggles could benefit them in a game where they are clearly not the favourites. "I think it’s the one game they’ve got left in the run-in where they’re not expected to win," he said on Sky Sports.
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"This is the one game that they’ve got left which everyone will think Manchester City are favourites and does that take the pressure off the Arsenal players and free their minds? Because they’ve definitely got more tense in these last games, there’s things that we’re seeing that are not Arsenal-like from the rest of the season - that freedom of playing, not creating chances.
"They need to get into the mindset of thinking ‘City have to win on Wednesday because they’re at home, we have to go there and play with the freedom and excitement that we’ve played with all season.’ It’s a magnificent game to look forward to, but can they play at their best through the freedom they can get by being underdogs?"
After the 4-1 victory against Leeds, Arsenal went eight points clear of City but after going three fixtures without a victory, that lead is worryingly lower. It's fair to say that Arsenal's staggering seven-game winning run placed them as the favourites heading into the penultimate month of the season, however that is no longer the case.
The term 'bottling' has been used by some to describe Arsenal's latest setbacks, and while Neville has brandished that label upon Arteta and his players, the Manchester United legend has explained why a minor blip now is potentially a good thing.
In a tweet, Neville wrote: "Bottling it is a very negative phrase to level at anyone or any team so can understand why so many stay clear of using it. However too much emotion and hurrying things are signs it’s happening. Along with looking leggy, being tense in your play and making simple errors fit the description of bottling it. Their is something else that can happen on this run in.
"If you “bottle” it early enough ( Arsenal have ) you can catch it and snap out of it by telling yourself 'what are we worrying about and we’ve nothing to lose now' That’s the energy they need to take into City [on] Wednesday. Everyone thinks we’ve gone, we’re underdogs now so let’s go for it! I love watching title run ins as these emotions swing back and forth."
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