City's 3-0 win at Chelsea has cut Arsenal's lead at the top of the table to six points, with the two teams to meet next weekend. City also have played one game less.
"If you go there and sit back like Liverpool did at PSG the other day, it's slapsville," Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel Rio Ferdinand Presents.
"You're getting pumped. You can't do that. Do you win leagues doing that?"
On how Bournemouth won at Arsenal on Saturday, Ferdinand also said: "I don't think Bournemouth went four up the pitch as glaring in exactly the same way.
"They were great in terms of blocking passing lanes making Arsenal having to go over it or just panic a little bit and give the ball away.
"I think, is that the blueprint? Bournemouth have copied it their own way. Mikel Arteta and his team haven't found an answer yet.
"It wasn't a good performance. At least get about and put it on some players."