Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville does not believe Arsenal are out of the conversation to win the Premier League title just yet, despite losing ground on Manchester City over the weekend.
After City moved to the summit with a convincing 5-1 win over Luton Town at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, Arsenal had the opportunity to reclaim top spot against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon. However, late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins condemned the Gunners to a surprise 2-0 defeat.
Coupled with Liverpool's shock 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace, it was the perfect weekend for City, who are now two points clear of both of their title rivals with six games to play. It means Pep Guardiola's side's fate is now in their own hands and if they win each of their remaining matches they will retain their crown.
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But Neville insists Arsenal cannot be ruled out of the race just yet, though he believes their response to Sunday's defeat will define their chances.
"You have to trust them (to recover from this)," said Neville, speaking on The Gary Neville podcast. "They have to call upon last season's experiences - they weren't in the Champions League last season, but they were in this position where they would get beaten in games that they thought they would win.
"They dropped points that people didn't think they would, and now it is about how you get back on the bike because they are not out of the title race. It's going to be tough because of Manchester City and what they are but it is how they recover.
"You can finish second to this Manchester City team but it is about how you finish second. Last season we know how they finished second. This season, if they finish second or even third if Liverpool somehow get up there as well, then they have got to make sure they do it in a better way.
"Now it's about how they get back on the bike and how they recover in the games and the weeks to come. They've got to prove that to themselves."
City face Real Madrid in the second-leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night and are in FA Cup action this forthcoming weekend. Arsenal will reclaim residency at the top of the table if they beat Wolves at Molineux on Saturday evening. The Gunners then play again in the league on April 23, hosting Chelsea.
City are next in Premier League action on April 25, travelling to the Amex Stadium to take on Brighton & Hove Albion. Liverpool, meanwhile, will move back above City if they beat Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
