Rio Ferdinand warns Arsenal on course to say 'good night' to EPL title chances

Arsenal are nine points clear at the top of the Premier League but Rio Ferdinand has warned Mikel Arteta's side could come undone against one opponent

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has pinpointed the side that could derail Arsenal's pursuit of Premier League glory. And while Manchester City may pose the strongest challenge on the title itself, Bournemouth are the team he believes could scupper the entire campaign for the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta's squad, who triumphed 3-2 at the Vitality Stadium in January, sit nine points clear of Pep Guardiola's City as league action returns this weekend. However, City hold one game in hand, which would narrow that advantage to six points should they claim victory.

There's also the significant matter of a direct clash between Arsenal and City at the Etihad Stadium on April 19. Taking all this into account, Ferdinand highlighted Saturday's home fixture against Bournemouth as a potential turning point.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the United icon said: "This isn't a slight at Arsenal and their players but at this moment it's about who deals with the pressure best and experience counts for a lot.

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"Man City have that so if they get within touching distance of Arsenal you guys are going to be in trouble because there's been a momentum shift. They know this walk, they've walked this path too many times.

"Arsenal have walked it and finished runners-up so they don't know the winning element of this, they're still trying to get there. This is where Mikel Arteta will earn his money. It's not easy, I'm not saying it is, this is a difficult period of the season for Arsenal.

"They've got Bournemouth at the weekend and that's a tough game, if you don't win that game... wow. And then you've got an in-form Man City the week after? It could be good night."

City benefit from having already defeated Arsenal in last month's League Cup final. That result will grant Guardiola's men confidence, as will their recent 4-0 mauling of Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

However, it's worth noting City won just one of their five games prior to that. Real Madrid knocked them out of the Champions League following a pair of home-and-away losses, while they also drew consecutive league outings against West Ham and Nottingham Forest.

As Ferdinand pointed out, the key now is holding their nerve from such an enviable position. Arsenal head to Sporting CP for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, before focus shifts firmly back to protecting their lead at the top of the title race.

"Arsenal have a decent run-in, are nine points clear and have one of the less fancied teams in the quarter-finals of the Champions League," added Ferdinand. "If someone had told you Arsenal would be in that position at this stage of the season with seven games to go, you would have bitten their arm off."

The six-time Premier League winner went on to highlight how Arsenal's belief may have naturally taken a knock following their League Cup final defeat. Ferdinand also reckons City are hitting an upward trajectory at precisely the worst moment for the Gunners.

"I think Man City can smell blood," he added. "I thought the cup final was massive for City because if they won the momentum shift could be a big factor in the run-in."

"Then Arsenal get beat [by Southampton] in the FA Cup and confidence is lowered again. If they win their game in hand it's down to six points and then they get to play Arsenal at home...I don't know, man, it makes it very difficult for Arsenal. They're a dangerous animal now, City, and have the experience on Arsenal."