Gary Neville issues damning four-word Arsenal verdict after Mikel Arteta criticism

Gary Neville has questioned whether Arsenal believe they can win the league after claiming that Mikel Arteta has got to "take the handbrake off" in his assessment of Sunday's 1-1 draw against Manchester City.

The Gunners battled back from a goal down to salvage a point as Gabriel Martinelli's 93rd minute equaliser cancelled out Erling Haaland's first half opener at the Emirates Stadium.

While the point is considered as one gained for Mikel Arteta's side after trailing for more than 80 minutes, the Arsenal head coach received a barrage of criticism post-match for his approach.

Many believe that Arteta's team selection was defensive-minded, while others slammed him for leaving the handbrake on when there was a chance to attack City and take the game to them.

Former Manchester United defender Neville weighed in on the debate on his Sky Sports podcast and delivered his own verdict on Arteta and Arsenal's overall performance.

Neville said: "My narrative with Arsenal was thinking is he going to take the risk? Is he going to send his players the message that I am going for it, that I believe in you? And the teamsheet comes through and I see that Leandro Trossard, who's a very good player, and Mikel Merino are on it.

"I thought the same at Anfield, and I can't help thinking, and I’ve said this probably now for a couple of weeks: I'm not going to look at what a manager says, I'm going to look at what he does.

"His actions and his actions at half-time were of a manager who I think got it wrong because if you’re making two substitutions at half-time, it's not gone to plan.

"You know that the players that you started with are not going to be able to win you the game in all circumstances, which is when they go a goal down. So, you've given away 45 minutes in a big match… I like watching them play, but they've got to take the handbrake off."

The point for Arsenal sees them remain in second on 10 points from a possible 15. However, following a 2-1 win against Everton on Saturday, Liverpool are five points in front at the top of the Premier League table.

Neville added: "I've predicted Arsenal will win the league... but does the manager and the players really believe, number one, that they can win the league? Do they really believe?

"The second bit is do they know how to win a league? Does the manager know how to win a league? Does he know how to get the players over the line throughout the season?"

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