‘A big moment’ - Theo Walcott makes Spurs claim as Arsenal boost Premier League title hopes with Man City win

Former Arsenal and England winger Theo Walcott wants the Gunners to enjoy more ‘big moments’ after they boosted their Premier League title hopes with a long-awaited win against Manchester City.

The two sides were unable to break the deadlock during a keenly-contested opening 45 minutes that was dominated by a controversial decision that saw City midfielder Mateo Kovacic avoid a red card despite making two poor challenges on Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.

The game-changing moment came with just three minutes remaining on the clock when Gabriel Martinelli’s powerful effort struck City defender Nathan Ake and wrong-footed Ederson before landing in the back of his net.

Former Premier League winner Gary Neville believes Mikel Arteta’s men can take ‘so much confidence’ from their win as they look to end their long wait for a title – but warned there is still ‘a long, long way to go’.

He told Sky Sports: “The atmosphere here is special.

“I’ve criticised them for over-celebrating, not today. That’s a big moment for them. They had to beat Manchester City today. No Rodri, no De Bruyne, you’ll never get a better chance. Beaten at Wolves last week, and it was scruffy, it went 12 rounds, but they have got through it.

“There’s a long, long way to go but it will give them so much confidence, so much confidence.”

Former Gunners star Walcott was on target the last time an Arsenal side beat City in the Premier League as they claimed a 2-1 win at the Emirates Stadium in December 2015.

By ending that run, Arteta’s men have ensured they will head into the international break sat level on points with North London rivals and current Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur.

Walcott insisted seeing Spurs at the top of the table and ending their barren run against the reigning champions was important for his old club’s title hopes and proves to the rest of the Premier League Pep Guardiola’s men are ‘beatable’.

“I felt as a defensive unit, they were very organised, but the attacking, they forgot to do,” he explained.

“Mikel won’t care right now, it’s a fantastic result and that’s showed how important that victory is because it comes down to fine margins at the end of the season and every point counts. The early part of the season always matters, and of course, Tottenham are top of the league so this is a big moment, not just for Arsenal, but for the Premier League as well because Manchester City are beatable.”