Mikael Silvestre has warned Arsenal and Manchester City why their Premier League clash after the international break may be a ‘turning point’ in the 2023/24 title race.
The Gunners travel to Etihad Stadium straight after the international break with a chance to cement their title credentials. Arsenal lead the Premier League table through 28 games with 64 points. But Liverpool are second via goal difference, with Manchester City a point behind.
Arsenal boast a tiny advantage over the Reds and Citizens thanks to registering the division’s best offensive and defensive records. Mikel Arteta’s team have scored 70 goals with only 24 conceded. Liverpool boast the second-best units on 65 goals to 26 allowed so far this term.
Arsenal are chasing their first win away to Man City since January 2015
Arteta will likely need Arsenal to play at their absolute best to secure a result at Manchester City, though. The Emirates Stadium club have not won at Etihad Stadium since January 2015. The Gunners have also lost each of their past eight games at the Citizens in all competitions.
But Gabriel Martinelli’s strike deflecting off Nathan Ake in October handed Arsenal their first Premier League win against Manchester City since December 2015. It also ended a 12-game winless run in the fixture to offer Arteta encouragement for winning away to Pep Guardiola.
Arsenal winning at Man City could be a ‘turning point’ in the title race
Former Arsenal defender Silvestre would not be surprised to see Arteta’s side take a draw at Manchester City, though. He expects a ‘really tight’ contest on March 31, despite the fixture posing a ‘big challenge’ for the Gunners. Arsenal lost 4-1 on their last visit to Etihad Stadium.
Silvestre has also told GG Recon that he does not view Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City as a title decider. But the Gunners securing an extremely rare win at Etihad Stadium could swing the title race in their favour. Arsenal are targeting their first Premier League title in 20 years.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “For me, it’s not the title decider as there’s still plenty of games to go. If Manchester City drop three points, then it could be a turning point for Arsenal. But there’s too many games to go to say that either team would be out of the race if they lost.
“The one thing I can envision is that the game will be really tight, so much so that it could end as a draw. If Arsenal win, then it’s a big statement but it will be a big challenge for them. The three teams involved in the title race are still in Europe, so it’s a busy period for them.”