GARY NEVILLE believes Arsenal could be left to rue Manchester City’s last-gasp equaliser yesterday.
John Stones bundled the ball home in the eighth minute of stoppage time to earn City a 2-2 draw at the Etihad.
The Gunners had clung on to their 2-1 lead for the entire second half with ten men following Leandro Trossard’s second yellow card for kicking the ball away.
But they couldn’t quite see the task through, finally succumbing to City’s dominance.
Neville, 49, has been bullish on Arsenal’s title prospects this season.
After seeing them squander their lead late on, however, the former Manchester United star wondered whether he had just witnessed a key moment that could see City land the title again.
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Immediately following the final whistle, the Sky Sports pundit recorded his Gary Neville Podcast alongside Peter Drury and Jamie Carragher.
Commenting on where yesterday’s game at the Etihad leaves the title race, Neville said: “I backed Arsenal at the start of the season because I just felt as though when a team’s hunting you down, eventually they get there, more often than not, when they’re getting closer and closer.
“Today felt like a monumental, defining moment in this journey that Arsenal are on, of trying to get to a league title.
“Two seasons ago they quite simply fell apart in the last 10 games, last season they went so close, and then you think, ‘right, OK, they’re learning, they’re maturing.’
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“You just think, where will we be in April and May with this game?
“Will we be going back to that final minute, and what happened with the John Stones goal, will we be thinking that City win the title by one point, and that moment determines it?
“It’s ridiculous, because there will be dropped points, and there will be mistakes, and there will be lots of victories before the end of the season, but it is that type of situation when you’re up against Pep Guardiola, he makes you feel that way.”
Addressing Carragher, Drury then responded by bringing up Liverpool – who currently sit above Arsenal in second.
Carra, however, admitted that he believes it’s too early for Arne Slot’s men to truly contend, and that they will be a little way behind City and Arsenal this season.
Speaking after the game, City star Bernardo Silva was unimpressed with Arsenal’s game plan.
The Portuguese star, 30, told told TNT Sports Brazil: “Well, perhaps because Liverpool has already won the Premier League and Arsenal hasn’t.
“Liverpool at that time had also won a UCL, while Arsenal hasn’t.
“Liverpool always faced us head-on, to win matches. From that perspective, our games against Arsenal haven’t been like the matches against Liverpool were, and still are.”
Arsenal ratings vs Man City
TEN-MAN Arsenal came desperately close to beating Man City.
Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta’s men, John Stones popped up in the 98th minute to score an equaliser with the match ending 2-2.
Here’s how the players rated…
DAVID RAYA – 9
Well beaten for Haaland’s opener but continued his impressive start to the season with some super second half stops – notably from Haaland and Gvardiol.
RICARDO CALAFIORI – 8
A full debut the Italian won’t forget. Didn’t get close enough to Savinho for the opening goal but made amends with his stunning long range curler to level it.
GABRIEL – 9
Planted one header over but made no mistake with his second one just before the break to score for the second straight weekend.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
Clattered by Haaland early on and lost the Norwegian for City’s goal – but dusted himself down and led the rearguard action for the visitors superbly.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 8
Asked to play an unfamiliar role on the right but did a great job for his boss keeping the livewire Doku quiet – and did fine when Pep changed it around too.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
Caused Walker plenty of problems in the first half. Played the ball back for Calafiori to score and teed up another great chance for Trossard.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Helped Arsenal work their way back into the game after early onslaught – and protected the back four so well when City were camped on the edge of the box.
THOMAS PARTEY – 7
Quick thinking from free-kick led to equaliser – also involved in the collision with Rodri that changed the course of the game.
BUKAYO SAKA – 6
Always a threat with his corners – not least when Arsenal got their second. Subbed at the break to make way for an extra defender.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4
Steered good chance over. Booked for pulling back Savinho then a second yellow for barge on Silva and then delaying the restart. Stupid from the Belgian.
KAI HAVERTZ – 7
Early collision with Rodri and caused a few problems in the first half but then had to focus on helping his 10 man team out defensively.
SUBS
WHITE – 7
(For Saka 46) – Thrown on to shore up the defence at the break – and did exactly that.
KIWIOR – 6
(For Calafiori 74 )– Gave the Italian a rest for the final few minutes and kept it tight.
JESUS – 6
(For Martinelli 87) – Some good pressing against his old team in the closing minutes
LEWIS SKELLY – 6
(For Timber 90) – Good experience for the youngster but was bizarrely booked before even coming on for his debut.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
