{"id":2453,"date":"2026-04-13T10:46:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T10:46:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=2453"},"modified":"2026-04-13T10:46:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T10:46:18","slug":"rio-ferdinand-gives-arsenal-clear-premier-league-title-race-advice-ahead-of-man-city-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=2453","title":{"rendered":"Rio Ferdinand gives Arsenal clear Premier League title race advice ahead of Man City clash"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_790335\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Arsenal will be hoping to end their run of three losses in four games when they take on Manchester City in a Premier League title decider on Sunday<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33759569\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Rio Ferdinand\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33759569.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2254684916.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33759569.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2254684916.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33759569.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2254684916.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33759569.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2254684916.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Rio Ferdinand has had his say on Arsenal and the title race\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Rio Ferdinand has had his say on Arsenal and the title race<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Rio Ferdinand has urged Arsenal to alter their tactics ahead of facing Manchester City in this week&#8217;s title decider, warning they&#8217;ll &#8220;get pumped&#8221; if they don&#8217;t.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Gunners travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon for a fixture that could prove decisive in the <a aria-label=\"Premier LeagueLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/all-about\/premier-league\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Premier League title race. Mikel Arteta has yet to taste victory on the blue side of Manchester since his appointment at the Emirates Stadium.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He&#8217;s previously suffered some costly defeats there, most notably in 2023 when City secured a 4-1 triumph that effectively snatched the title from Arsenal&#8217;s clutches. Arteta has faced scrutiny for what some perceive as an overly cautious approach this season, with considerable emphasis on defensive stability and set-piece effectiveness.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><a aria-label=\"Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook pageLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AFCFootball.London#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/a><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ferdinand maintains that Arsenal, currently enduring three defeats in four matches, must take the initiative to City on Sunday or face a heavy scoreline, eports <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/rio-ferdinand-arsenal-man-city-37003059\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">the Mirror<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said on his YouTube channel <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=W1NGcApejRo\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Rio Ferdinand Presents:<\/a> &#8220;If you go there and sit back like Liverpool did at PSG the other day, it&#8217;s slapsville. You&#8217;re getting pumped. You can&#8217;t do that. Do you win leagues doing that?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">City appeared unstoppable as they swept aside Chelsea on Sunday, merely 24 hours after Arsenal had presented them with an opportunity. Pep Guardiola&#8217;s outfit emerged 3-0 victors at Stamford Bridge following Bournemouth&#8217;s shock result at the Emirates &#8211; and Ferdinand believes the Cherries might offer some tactical lessons for Arteta.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He stated: &#8220;This is glaring, the way City set up to block all passing lanes, pressing high. I don&#8217;t think Bournemouth went four up the pitch as glaring in exactly the same way. They were great in terms of blocking passing lanes making Arsenal having to go over it or just panic a little bit and give the ball away.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I think, is that the blueprint? Bournemouth have copied it their own way. Mikel Arteta and his team haven&#8217;t found an answer yet. It wasn&#8217;t a good performance. At least get about and put it on some players.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Guardiola is attempting to peak at precisely the right moment with City hitting form during the crucial final stretch of the campaign. Having already secured the Carabao Cup, they&#8217;re also strongly fancied to claim the FA Cup.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"Factbox_factbox-container__hSMOa\" id=\"factbox\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Entering Factbox content\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"32887284\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"factbox\" data-testid=\"factbox\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" sizes=\"(max-width: 615px) 615px, (max-width: 810px) 810px, 1168px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32887212.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1168v\/0_SEEING-RED-ART-1.jpg\" srcset=\"&#10;        https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32887212.ece\/ALTERNATES\/n615\/0_SEEING-RED-ART-1.jpg 615w,&#10;        https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32887212.ece\/ALTERNATES\/n810\/0_SEEING-RED-ART-1.jpg 810w,&#10;        https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32887212.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1168v\/0_SEEING-RED-ART-1.jpg 1168w&#10;    \"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs Factbox_heading-three__NXU52 __className_dcb0ad\">Welcome to &#8216;Seeing Red&#8217; &#8211; our new Arsenal podcast<\/h3>\n<div class=\"Factbox_content__xdMV8\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We&#8217;ve launched a new Arsenal podcast &#8216;Seeing Red&#8217; with chief football writer John Cross and Arsenal reporter Tom Canton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Each week, they will dive deep into the biggest topics as they follow Mikel Arteta&#8217;s side every step of the way &#8211; and will also discuss nostalgic flashbacks before each fixture.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It&#8217;s a great time to be an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners flying high under Arteta as they look to win silverware this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The North Londoners are going strong in the Premier League and Champions League &#8211; and they&#8217;re also in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We&#8217;ll provide insight and reaction &#8211; and have fun along the way &#8211; as Arsenal target the biggest trophies this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">No stone will be left unturned. VAR controversy? Poor performances? Unsung hero who deserves praise? Fixture chaos? We&#8217;ll have it all covered.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"Click here to view our YouTube channelLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@SeeingRedArsenal\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to view our YouTube channel<!-- --><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"Click here to download our podcastsLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/pod.link\/1652497071\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to download our podcasts<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arsenal will be hoping to end their run of three losses in four games when<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2454,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2453","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2453","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2453"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2453\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2454"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2453"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2453"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2453"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}