Prior to the Gunners’ crucial title matchup with Manchester City, Rio Ferdinand has issued a strong warning to Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, telling him to sit back at his own risk. After Pep Guardiola’s team narrowed the lead at the top of the Premier League to six points, Arsenal and City will square off in what many are calling a title-deciding match on Sunday.
Arsenal’s Saturday afternoon loss to Bournemouth, following their Carabao Cup final loss to City prior to the international break, opened the door for City to go six points ahead of their championship rivals. Given that they still had a game in hand and an upcoming match against Arsenal, they seized the chance and destroyed Chelsea 3-0 to go within striking distance.
All eyes will be on Sunday’s game at the Etihad. Arsenal will have a few days to prepare for their Champions League encounter against Sporting Lisbon, whereas City will have a week. Ferdinand, a legend of Manchester United, has tried to give Arsenal an advantage by cautioning them against playing from behind.
Arsenal team suffered major blow to title hopes
After Bournemouth’s “big punch in the face” damaged Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League, a dejected Mikel Arteta urged his “strange” squad to put up more resistance. Boos greeted the outcome at the end of the game, and there was a tense atmosphere throughout. This is a significant blow for the north London club’s title drive.
Although they have played two more games than Manchester City, who take on Chelsea on Sunday, the Gunners are still nine points ahead at the top. Next weekend, Arteta’s team will also visit the Etihad to play Pep Guardiola’s team. Arteta’s men also travel to the Etihad next weekend to take on Pep Guardiola’s side.
This season, Arsenal has gained recognition for their defensive prowess, but City is the league’s leading scorer and is also a ferocious attacker. Ferdinand believes that Guardiola and his team will have no trouble dissecting their opponents, unless they repeat what Bournemouth did to them.
Ferdinand said, “This is blatant, the way City set up to block all passing lanes, pressing high.” “I don’t think Bournemouth’s four-up move was as obvious in the same way.”
