Former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira has given the Gunners hope of catching Premier League title rivals Manchester City. The Gunners, who are chasing a first league title since 2004, sit one point behind defending champions Man City ahead of Sunday’s games. Arsenal play host to Europe-chasing Brighton on Sunday afternoon, shortly after Manchester City visit Everton.
Vieira believes the Sky Blues’ European commitments could still lead to a twist in the title race, as they face Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals. If Manchester City get past Champions League holders Real Madrid, they will play Inter Milan or AC Milan in the final.
The former Arsenal star said: ‘I think Arsenal still have to be really optimistic because they’re in the title race with a couple of games left. You have to believe – or make the players believe – that Man City will drop points. You see Man City are in the Champions League and their mind could still be on that Real Madrid game and the final. They will obviously want to win that Champions League and of course that will take up a lot of energy. The message to the Arsenal players has to be: Manchester City will drop points.
Vieira added: ‘Arsenal can’t afford to feel sorry for themselves, they need to win their remaining games and hope Man City drop points. I believe that Arsenal have that in their minds and that’s why it’s about them winning from now until the end of the season and then crossing their fingers and hoping Man City drop points. Arsenal went through a difficult period and Man City are back top. But there’s still a few games left for things to change.’