Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester City will be 'licking their lips' following Arsenal's defeat to Everton. The Gunners were left frustrated as a James Tarkowski header made the difference in a difficult game at Goodison Park.
Tarkowski highlighted the difference between this season's team compared to those has played against in the past with Arsenal having been previously described as 'soft' and 'easy to play against'. Mikel Arteta has urged his players to remain calm despite the setback against the Toffees as they now prepare to face Brentford at home next week.
Neal Maupay proved to be the Gunners' nemesis once again as he got under the skin of Oleksandr Zinchenko late in the game causing tempers to flare. The match itself had a handful of controversial decisions with Gabriel Magalhaes having a penalty shout waved away by referee David Coote despite Maupay seemingly tripping the Brazilian defender as the north London outfit failed to find an equaliser.
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Speaking after the Gunners' defeat, Ferdinand discussed how City will have reacted to the result and what Arsenal must do to ensure their title challenge does not fall apart heading into a crucial set of fixtures.
The ex-United star told BT Sport: "I tell you one thing, that City team will be sitting at home going ‘hmm, now then,’ licking their lips, rubbing their hands together, because now the pendulum could really swing, especially when you see the fixture list - they [Arsenal] have got Brentford next week but then Man City the week after that.
"That’s when you maybe think the experience will be telling, but you look at Arsenal, they’re fearless and not as experienced as of yet. So, you don’t know where that is going to sit."
Ferdinand feels it is important that Arsenal react in a positive manner when they face Brentford at the Emirates Stadium otherwise it could see City replace them at the top of the table. "I think it’s important, how you react, and I think when we played you don’t lose two games in a stint, and you’ve got to find ways to get results anywhere by any means," he added.
"You can’t always play perfect football, and there’s going to be big long spells in games where it’s not going your way. How can you come out of those moments or override those moments?
"It’s going to be the experienced players - like Jorginho even, who’s just come into the changing room - to be able to talk to young players, to make them feel comfortable, even in this situation at some points it’s not the end of the world. You’re still top of the league, you’re still playing good football.
"They [Arsenal] played some good football today, just didn’t have that cutting edge, so you’ve got to find positives somewhere in this performance - even though it’s going to be difficult - to maintain momentum and confidence throughout the squad. You can’t lose it through one result."
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