– I expect Arsenal, who finished above Liverpool last season, we have eight games left, basically to go out on that pitch and believe they will win that game. That’s what I expect.

“They have to change their mentality from a team that comes second – and they’re a really good side, they’ve made a lot of progress – to a team that’s going to win the league.

“They can’t do anything but go and win that football game.”

According to Neville, Arteta should have “expected” to have key players missing throughout the campaign and it is up to the Arsenal manager to rise to the challenge.

“Liverpool are in really good form, they have a strong defence, they have players up front who can win any game in an instant and they have a midfield that is so willing it’s untrue so it won’t be easy,” added he.

But go and win the match. I can’t listen to excuses, I don’t want any excuses from Arsenal fans, I don’t want any excuses from Mikel Arteta.

He has built a team there that should be able to compete over a season. Four or five players missing is something he would have expected or should have expected at some point.

“Last year it was the whole season that he had it in line with his team selection and that’s very lucky. Maybe that’s not quite the case this season.

“Go and win the league. I remember times when we were four or five players short and we played Phil Neville and John O’Shea in midfield and I was at centre-back. It just happens.

‘You have to get through these moments if you’re going to win the league. City are doing it at the moment without Kevin De Bruyne, without Kyle Walker. They have had other players missing for periods of the season.

“I’m sorry, I’m really adamant about this. You should have beaten Bournemouth with ten men and they should go and beat Liverpool on Sunday if they are serious about winning the league.

Neville cannot see Liverpool opening up a seven-point lead over Arsenal and predicts a narrow victory for the home side in two days’ time.