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Manchester City moved to within three points of Arsenal on Sunday thanks to a 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium
Manchester City took a huge step towards the Premier League title on Sunday afternoon after beating Arsenal 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium. Rayan Cherki's brilliant solo effort in the first half was immediately cancelled out by Kai Havertz blocking Gianluigi Donnarumma's clearance to score.
Despite the unfortunate mistake, City settled back into the game and would eventually win it when Erling Haaland fired home inside the area. The victory has left the Blues just three points behind Arsenal in the title race and they will move to the top of the Premier League if they beat relegation-threatened Burnley on Wednesday night.
With this in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at what the pundits are saying about the title race now Pep Guardiola's side are on the verge of moving back to the top of the Premier League.
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Gary Neville
The former Manchester United captain has been staunchly backing Arsenal to win the league but his opinion changed after yesterday's result. "I think next Saturday night against Newcastle presents a lot of danger [for Arsenal]," he said on Sky Sports. "Arsenal played well today. They couldn't come here and freeze, and didn’t.
"But the nerves inside that stadium… if Arsenal don't start well next weekend, or if Newcastle get an early goal [Arsenal can drop points]. Next Saturday night is imperative that Arsenal get over the line... that tension will still be there next Saturday night. Arsenal have to cope with that and come through it. That's the chance.
"For the first time this season, I’m going to say City will win the title."
Patrick Vieira
Vieira represented Arsenal for most of his career but moved to City before retiring. He told Sky Sports that the Blues could be faultless between now and the end of the campaign.
He said: "Winning the game today gives them that belief and momentum. I think now it will be Arsenal that has to chase them because I don’t see them [City] dropping points."
Freddie Ljungberg
Another former Arsenal man told Viaplay that this result is huge for the title race, especially with the Gunners' 'bottlers' reputation. "I think it will be big," Ljungberg said. "Of course they’re professional football players and they have to deal with it. But they’ve been on top for so, so long and they’ve had history from different seasons, been called 'bottlers'.
"Obviously I live in London, they’ve been talking about this now for the last two or three weeks. Their fans have been worried, it’s been a talking point.
"It’s tough for them, but at the same time, you have to switch on and hope City drop points somewhere. The main thing is you concentrate on your own game, you take the points that’s needed if City slip up. But what City did today, I was impressed."
Alan Shearer
Shearer took aim at Arsenal's previous performances after the defeat to City and is confident Guardiola's side can go all the way. He told NBC Sports: "Where’s that [Arsenal spirit] been for the last five or six weeks? That’s the big question.
"Yes, they were much better in terms of energy, playing more on the front foot, creating chances, and they were much better than they have been, but they just fell short. I always felt that if City won this game, with the form they’re in, with the experience that they have and the momentum they’ve got, I do believe they’ll now go on and win it.
"It just feels like that. Looking at Erling Haaland, looking at their fans in the stadium and listening to it, you get that feeling that that’s exactly how they’re feeling as well."
Peter Schmeichel
City's former goalkeeper feels the inexperience of the Gunners could be crucial as the Blues make their move. "The experience in this period is everything. Understanding that even if there is a little bump here and there, you can still win it," he told Viaplay.
"Arsenal don’t have it. It’s four consecutive years they find themselves in this situation and they still haven’t managed to get it over the line."
Micah Richards
Richards is adamant that City will now get the job done to win another Premier League. The former defender told Sky Sports: "I’ve always said whoever wins this game will have the momentum.
"Obviously City have to go to Burnley and win that but Arsenal have still got two games before Manchester City play again, they’ve got Newcastle and Fulham. I just thought this was the game.
"If they could get over the line in this game and stay within three points of Arsenal, I just think with the experience, the big players, the big moments… I thought Arsenal were very good in all honesty today, but Manchester City just get over the line and Rayan Cherki, what a player he is.
"Bernardo Silva, the energy that he puts in, the way he gets on the ball, being an older guy. Leaving at the end of the season. But they just have that momentum going into the end of the season."
Roy Keane
United's former captain was reluctant to name who will win the Premier League, initially claiming he didn't care. But having backed Arsenal from the start of the season, Keane is sticking to his guns.
"I said Arsenal at the start of the season and I’m going to stick with Arsenal, of course I am," he told Sky Sports. "No doubt the belief is not as strong as it was before the game, City have the momentum and Pep…
"But I’m going to have to stick with Arsenal because I called them at the start of the season."
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