Manchester Metropolis’s late winner at Wolves was an ominous second for his or her title rivals, says Gary Neville, who believes there’s a feeling of inevitability round Pep Guardiola’s facet and their Premier League problem as soon as once more.
The defending champions appeared like they might drop two factors at Molineux however a controversial injury-time header from John Stones grabbed all of them three factors and means they sit one level behind early pacesetters Liverpool, who beat Chelsea at Anfield in a while Tremendous Sunday.
“It’s moments like that, even this early, which make you think [they’re going to do it again]. It’s two important goals from Stones in the last month,” mentioned Neville on The Gary Neville Podcast, referring to the defender’s last-gasp equaliser in opposition to Arsenal.
“I remember the goal they scored late on at Newcastle last season through Oscar Bobb and watching that and thinking, ‘here we go again, they’re going to win the league’.
“They are going to be ecstatic [with getting the win at Wolves] – they usually had been, we noticed them celebrating with the followers. It is a huge win.
“What City have done today is get over the line, which is what City do.”
Neville paid credit score to each Liverpool and Chelsea after overlaying the Reds’ win 2-1 at Anfield however he believes it’s Arsenal who’ve the most effective hope of ending Metropolis’s streak of Premier League titles.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Liverpool’s win in opposition to Chelsea within the Premier League
“Would these two teams [at Anfield] win the title? I don’t think so,” mentioned Neville. “What Liverpool are doing defensively at the moment is interesting. I’d like to assess it at Christmas. I still think they’re short.
“Chelsea are quick, they are not going to win the league. I believe Arsenal are the one workforce that may tackle Metropolis. However you possibly can’t afford to fall too many factors behind.”
Arsenal disappointing at Bournemouth
The deficit for Arsenal is now three factors on Metropolis after Mikel Arteta’s workforce had been crushed at Bournemouth on Saturday.
William Saliba was despatched off within the first half of that recreation. It is the third time this season Arsenal have had a participant despatched off within the Premier League, with the Gunners additionally dropping factors in opposition to Metropolis and Brighton when all the way down to 10 males.
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Regardless of having been lowered to 10 males, Gary Neville nonetheless thinks Arsenal ought to have gone on to have defeated Bournemouth in the event that they wish to beat Manchester Metropolis to the Premier League title
Neville, although, says there will be no excuses for Arsenal in the event that they wish to be title challengers. They nonetheless need to go for victories in these conditions.
“You can lose any match in football but the most disappointing thing is they’ve not gone and won the game against Brighton or Bournemouth. With the quality they have they should still be able to win those matches,” mentioned Neville.
“Point one – don’t get players sent off as much. That sounds easy but you’ve got to deal with it and stop it.
“And for those who do go all the way down to 10 males, you have to go and win.
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Highlights from the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Arsenal
“On a general note of Arsenal, it’s still very early in the season, early enough for them to recover and be really dangerous and win the league. But I was disappointed with them [at Bournemouth] and I think they should be disappointed with themselves.”
Gunners can’t make excuses anymore
Neville says Arsenal can’t make excuses about lacking injured gamers – and the identical applies for when Saliba is suspended for the massive recreation in opposition to Liverpool subsequent Sunday, reside on Sky Sports activities.
“No Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard or Jurrien Timber against Bournemouth? I get that but we’re talking about playing Bournemouth, who are a good side, but they have a squad of 20 to deal with Champions League football and a couple of injuries. We know players will be missing at certain points in the season,” mentioned Neville.
“Saka all the time performs. In the event you had been going to say you miss him as soon as, twice, thrice in a season then Bournemouth away could be one of many video games it’s possible you’ll say, ‘okay that is fantastic we’ve a squad to take care of it’.
Sunday twenty seventh October 4:00pm
Kick off 4:30pm
“Arsenal without Saliba against Liverpool – they had the excuse a couple of seasons ago [when he was out injured in the run-in] and that was accepted, he was a big loss. But they’ve added players to the squad to be able to deal with that now.
“You possibly can’t be one participant away, having a one-match ban, and the extent go from right here [high] to right here [low]. It’s a must to stay constant and dependable for those who get an damage.
“We’ve seen City without Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne and they still get by. I know they’re a machine but I have a lot of confidence in Arsenal and love for the way they’ve developed.
“Subsequent week we will not discuss ‘so-and-so is not taking part in’. There’s been some huge cash, a whole lot of enchancment. Now’s the time to go and present it.
“They’re still in with a big chance. It’s very early in the season. Next Sunday is a big test for Liverpool and a big question for Arsenal without Saliba.”
Watch Arsenal vs Liverpool reside on Sky Sports activities Premier League from 4pm on Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm.
