Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville insists that Arsenal must secure a rare victory at the Etihad Stadium to cement their status as Premier League favorites. Reflecting on the Gunners’ dominant 4-1 North London Derby triumph over Tottenham on Sunday, the former Manchester United captain noted that while Mikel Arteta’s side currently holds a five-point lead, they have contested one more match than their rivals, Manchester City. Neville believes that the psychological and mathematical path to the trophy requires Arsenal to finally conquer the defending champions on their own turf during their scheduled league encounter on April 18.
The two heavyweights will first clash in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on March 22, a fixture Neville views as a critical opportunity for the Londoners to exert mental dominance. By potentially stripping a trophy from Pep Guardiola’s grasp, Arsenal could signal a definitive shift in the domestic hierarchy. However, Neville maintains that the ultimate test remains the high-stakes visit to Manchester in mid-April, where Arsenal must prove they can withstand the atmosphere and tactical pressure of the Etihad.
“I have thought for a number of years when Arsenal have been going for this title that they’re going to have to go and win at the Etihad. That’s the only real way. The Carabao Cup final [on March 22] is a chance to send a message, because you’re playing directly against them and you can cause them some real pain by taking a medal from around the necks, but what you can do is go and beat them at their own place.”
The pundit’s analysis follows a weekend where both title contenders secured vital points, with City narrowly defeating Newcastle 2-1 on Saturday before Arsenal’s emphatic response. Neville suggests that while Arsenal displayed immense “physical and mental strength” in the second half against Spurs, they must eliminate the minor concentration lapses seen during Randal Kolo Muani’s equalizer. For the Gunners, the coming month represents the most significant period of their campaign as they balance a heavy domestic and European schedule.
As the title race reaches its boiling point, Neville’s “win-or-bust” assessment for the Etihad trip has sparked intense debate among supporters. Arsenal has not secured a league win at City’s home ground in over a decade, but the current squad’s resilience under Arteta suggests they are better equipped than ever to break the curse. The football world now eagerly anticipates the twin clashes in March and April that will likely decide the destination of the 2025/26 Premier League crown.
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