Gary Neville thinks Man City have already broken key Arsenal player amid title collapse

Gary Neville thinks Declan Rice has given the game away amid Arsenal's intense title race with Manchester City. The Gunners now trail the title race, sitting behind Manchester City on goals scored following City's narrow win over Burnley during the week.

Arsenal can move back above City this weekend due to the fact the Citizens are in FA Cup action, but as things stand, it's going to be a goal difference race unless one of the two title hopefuls slip up in their final five games.

The Gunners once looked as though they had the title wrapped up, but a poor run of form that culminated in the defeat to City has ensured there will be one of the most exciting title races in recent years.

Gary Neville made his true thoughts on Declan Rice's gesture known

At this point, it's likely it will come down to mental strength, and Arsenal star Declan Rice may have shown signs of cracks in his mental armour after the City game. Rice proclaimed that the title race is 'not done' after the game, but he cut an emotional figure.

That led Neville to say on The Overlap: "No, if I was watching Declan Rice nearly in tears, and saying it’s not done, I’d be thinking you’re done. ‘It’s not done, It’s not done.’ I look at him and think he’s done.”

Of course, Rice wasn't actually in tears, but he did look a little rattled, and that's what Neville is alluding to. He may have a point, too, with City likely looking for anything they can latch onto to gain an extra 1% as they prepare for this chaotic spring to the finish.

“It’s a good response, I’m just saying I didn’t feel confident," added Neville. "I’m a big fan of his and I said potentially last week that he would grip that game.”

Asked by Keane whether Rice did indeed control the game, Neville continued. "No, I thought Bernardo Silva and Rodri got a grip of that game.”

That part may be a little unfair, as Keane insinuated, given it was an ultra-close game despite City having home advantage. Arsenal had the chances to draw or win the game, and while City did look more dangerous, the only difference was Erling Haaland tucking away a very good chance to win the game.

Rice wasn't responsible for the missed chances, so to his credit, he at least did a solid job in holding the City midfield. Whether he has cracked mentally is a very different question, and the answer to that will come in the coming weeks.

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