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Gary Neville has maintained that Arsenal are the favourites to the win the Premier League, even if they were to lose a big name or two due to injury
Gary Neville believes Liverpool are the only team capable of stopping Arsenal from winning the Premier League this season. After five successive defeats in the English top-flight, the reigning champions finally ended their torrid run this weekend – yet they remain seven points adrift of the Gunners.
While it may seem a daunting task, teams have overcome far great deficits in the past. Manchester City fought back from eight-point deficits after 28 matches in 2022/23 and 17 matches in 2023/24 to win the title.
The biggest of them all, though, saw Arsenal overhaul Manchester United's 13-point lead after 19 matches during the 1997/98 season to be crowned champions. Speaking on NBC Sports, Neville commented on the title race.
The Red Devils legend said: "Look, Arsenal can lose the title from here. I understand why Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal players and even the fans will play down the idea that they have to win it this season.
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"But they’re the most consistent team and they’ve been building up to this now for three or four seasons. I actually tipped them for the title for the past three seasons and they’ve obviously fallen short.
"I thought they should have been there last season when Liverpool won it because I thought if Man City dropped off, Arsenal had to be the team to do it.
"There won’t be many people making excuses for Arsenal this season and that’s not me applying pressure to Arsenal, I just think they’re the best team in the league and they’ve got the right squad.
"It’s only November so it’s crazy to suggest you should win the league from here – but they should and if you’re not Mikel Arteta or an Arsenal player you can say that quite confidently."
Neville added: "The reason I say I’m confident Arsenal will win the league is because you always think about what can stop a team. If Liverpool lost Virgil van Dijk or Mohamed Salah in previous seasons they would be in trouble.
"But I can’t think of any player Arsenal might lose now and it would mean they would lose the title… even the two centre-backs because of the summer signings. Every position is covered.
"Bukayo Saka was that player in the past but Noni Madueke came in when he was injured. Everywhere, they are properly doubled up with the same level of quality or only a small drop-off. So who’s going to take it off them?
"Arsenal would have to beat themselves not to win it. I don’t think Man City are going to get back to a level they’ve been at previously and come back at Arsenal.
"Pep Guardiola is a genius but he hasn’t got the players or the team playing at the level needed. Liverpool are the only team but they would have to get back on track very quickly."
English (US) ·