‘Shaking like a dog’ - Rio Ferdinand's probing Arsenal assessment gives Man City title race hope

Rio Ferdinand has heckled Arsenal’s recent Premier League form, giving Manchester City renewed hope of taking top spot this week.

The two clubs meet in the league for the first time this season on Wednesday after September’s match was postponed amid the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Arsenal have failed to win their last two games having lost to Everton and drawn with Brentford.

A loss to City at the Emirates in midweek would see the Blues leapfrog them into pole position, albeit the Gunners would still have a game in hand over the defending champions. Earlier this month, Ferdinand branded the title race “a wrap” and suggested City would not end up catching Arsenal.

READ MORE: Gundogan sets out Man City challenge for 'very strong' Arsenal

But the ex-Manchester United defender said Arsenal were “stuttering” and “shaking like a dog” in a seeming attempt to jokingly get at a fellow YouTube show FIVE presenter who supports the table-toppers.

After outlining that anything beyond Champions League qualification was a “bonus” for old club United, Ferdinand prodded: "How are you guys [Arsenal] doing by the way?

“Because you guys are stuttering. You have got issues right now. You guys need a real, real, real big team talk. You lot are shaking like a dog doing a p** on a cold night. Unbelievable. I can't believe what I'm seeing. You are twitching right now!"

A win for Arsenal on Wednesday would see them stretch their lead at the top of the tree to six points with a game in hand over City, who beat Mikel Arteta’s men in January’s FA Cup fourth round clash at the Etihad.

READ NEXT:

City given Haaland injury worry for Arsenal fixture

City fans boo Premier League anthem

Man City reaction to Riyad Mahrez