Gilberto Silva believes that Arsenal can defeat Manchester City despite Pep Guardiola's clever mind games. The Premier League champions will welcome Mikel Arteta's side to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, and many are expecting the visitors to return to north London with their tails between their legs.
The Gunners head into the tie five points clear of City, who have two crucial games in hand. Anything but a victory for Arsenal significantly dent their confidence ahead of the run-in, having already squandered several great chances to extend their lead at the top of the table.
They've drawn each of their previous three games, surrendering a pair of two-goal leads against Liverpool and West Ham while also going two-nil down inside a quarter of an hour against Southampton. Despite the scepticism among Arsenal supporters, Silva is confident that his former side can prove people wrong and steer clear of Guardiola's mental warfare.
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In an interview with Betway, the former Gunners midfield said: "This is the game of the season. I'm confident. It's another game, it's another important game, as it has been since the first game of the season.
"It's about who wants it more. Who wants more in this game? Who is really hungry? The possibility of City overtaking Arsenal didn't start over the last couple of games when we dropped points, it started a few weeks ago when Guardiola said: 'Listen, I want to beat Arsenal.'
"He was sending the message to his players: 'I want to beat Arsenal'. He sent the message not just to destabilise Arsenal but also to his players to perform, to get the points and make the gap smaller.
"And now they are in a much more comfortable situation," Silva added before giving his score prediction. "Arsenal, 2-1."
Then, when asked whether Arsenal's lack of experience in a title race is beginning to show, the 46-year-old replied: "You can look at it that way. Of course, when you compare them, City have been in this position many times in the last few years.
"But it's important to say that Arsenal, in the last few years, has been a team that has had to be built in every aspect. They've had to build a real team, with everyone thinking in the same direction, and to build up things around the team to give them the support they need.
"The club is working in this direction. Of course, now everybody expects them to win this season as they have done so well since the beginning, leading the league, which is not so easy.
"Maybe a lack of experience of being in this position keeps them insecure, but in this moment, they just have to focus from now on. We have lost important points but all we can focus on now is the next couple of games.
"Let's do the best we can. The result is going to be the consequence of what we do from now on. We have done great, but let's push a bit more. We can do more.
"We always have to force our mind to think this way. I cannot stop, I cannot think that the other team is better than me. I cannot think that, because I've never been in this position, I cannot win.
"This is the mindset they have to have every day in the training sessions, when they go to the games, and when they are on the field."
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