GARY NEVILLE has handed Arsenal a brutal warning ahead of their trip to Manchester City.
The former Manchester United defender has told the Gunners what they must do to avoid being “dismissed as nearly men”.
Mikel Arteta’s side have established themselves as title challengers across the last two seasons.
His team have pushed City all the way in successive campaigns with back-to-back second place finishes.
However, Arsenal have not won a trophy since their FA Cup victory in 2020.
The Gunners face an early test of their credentials this season away to the champions on Sunday.
Ahead of the match, Neville has explained what they must do to avoid being forgotten.
Writing in his Overlap newsletter, he said: “If this superb Arsenal team doesn’t win the Premier League or the Champions League then they can forget about going down in history.
“That’s harsh but the reality of elite sport. No one will fondly recall the magnificence of William Saliba and Gabriel at the back, the brilliance of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, David Raya’s extraordinary saves or the incision of Bukayo Saka up front.
“There will be no Netflix documentaries. They will never be feted or admired. They will be dismissed as nearly men.
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“History is unforgiving of those who fall just short. And that’s why, for all the excellent work they’ve done in the past two years, there is still a step to take.
“We’re too early in the season to describe Sunday’s clash with Manchester City at the Etihad as a title decider.
“Yet Arsenal need a statement win because they need to damage Manchester City and to demonstrate to themselves that they are the team of the moment.”
Arsenal go into Sunday’s meeting unbeaten in three against City, a run which dates back to April 2023.
It also includes a home win and their Community Shield triumph last term.
Arteta will also be boosted by the return of Declan Rice to his side from suspension.
However, he remains without captain Martin Odegaard and summer signing Mikel Merino through injury.
