Gary Neville says Man City v Arsenal will be really ‘defining’ for Arteta for one reason

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Arsenal are set to face Manchester City on Sunday in a crucial game in the Premier League title race, which could be hugely significant.

Mikel Arteta’s side are currently top of the table, one point ahead of Man City and level with Liverpool, and they have the chance to make a statement about their title ambitions.

Arsenal were in the title race last season, but were faltering as they headed into the game at the Etihad Stadium, and were heavily beaten as they ran out of steam in their campaign.

They will hope for a different result on Sunday, and Gary Neville has now highlighted why the game carries more significance beyond the three points at stake.

Gary Neville explains why Man City vs Arsenal is crucial for Arteta

Speaking on The Overlap, Neville explained that an Arsenal win could be season-defining for the club, and even more significant for the squad and Arteta to develop a winning mentality ahead of the run-in.

“This is the start of the run-in. It’s real, it’s happening now, and obviously on Sunday it’s huge, it’s a crossroads game,” he stated.

“I think these games sometimes can signify, and you can sometimes speak too big as a pundit, but they can sometimes signify, they can sometimes create history.

“You will look back as Arsenal, if you win on Sunday and win this league, as the defining moment. There are all these games over the years that you look back on in 15-20 years – that match is here, now.

“I’m not saying there aren’t eight games to go and there aren’t other big tests, you could win on Sunday then lose three games after that. I don’t think you would, I think if you won Sunday, the confidence and belief would be huge, and City’s would be dented slightly, so to me, it’s a defining game.

“For that group of players, and for that manager, as a young manager he’s got to show and demonstrate that he can live in that arena, which he has done now for two years, with Klopp, with Guardiola and handle these big moments”

How significant would an Arsenal win over Man City be?

One thing Arsenal cannot afford to do, is let City take the initiative in the title race.

If Pep Guardiola’s side win on Sunday and go above Arsenal, there may be no chance of catching them.

A draw therefore is far from the end of the world for Arsenal, but beyond the table, a win would be monumental for Arteta’s squad.

Arsenal finally beat Man City in the league earlier this season, and winning at the Etihad for the first time in Guardiola’s reign at the club would give a huge boost to the squad ahead of the final few games.