Gary Neville says Arsenal answered their questions with victory over Tottenham and withstood pressure from Manchester City in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners won 4-1 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and are now five points clear at the top of the table.
The comments came after questions were raised about Man City’s mentality after their 2-2 draw with Wolves in midweek, and just hours after Man City beat Newcastle to close the gap.
Speaking after the match on the Gary Neville Podcast, the Sky Sports pundit believed Arsenal had risen to the multiple challenges they faced and gave his assessment of how the title race could play out in the coming weeks.
“What happened today was very important because it’s too early for real title pressure. We haven’t reached the home straight yet, we have 10 games left and we’re fading fast.
“But it’s going to get really hot in April. We’re now at a stage where the games are really important and when do we drop points? And Arsenal are in a difficult situation.”
“Arsenal had big question marks at the start of the game, but they dealt with it. They played well and dominated for the first 20 minutes. Then they went for the goals. It was really good.”
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Tottenham and Arsenal
“Then they had one failure when they turned Tottenham back within 30 seconds, so there will be another big question going into the second half, but they answered that.
“The big question at 2-1 is, ‘Can they finish the game? Are they going to get Tottenham back into the game?'” And they answered that.
“Throughout this game Arsenal had a lot of questions to ask: Will they be able to score? They did everything right today and the way they played here (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) was perfect for them.”
“Man City sent a message but Arsenal withstood it.”
“Man City are dangerous because of the fact that they have (Omar) Marmouche, (Erling) Haaland, (Rajan) Cherki, (Antoine) Semenho and (Phil) Foden. If they can keep their centre-backs healthy, they have a chance. They have a good goalkeeper and the manager is exceptional.”
“Haaland and Pep Guardiola’s celebration at the end[after the Newcastle game]was meaningful. They were sending a message. It was psychological warfare. Pep will say otherwise, but it’s true.”
“For the next two months, every time you speak, every time you do something on the pitch, it’s going to be transmitted to the other team – whether it’s weakness, strength, celebration, whatever it is.
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Watch for free: Highlights of the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle.
“One of the questions that Arsenal had to deal with, and they had to answer, that I missed was the fact that Man City sent a message that we are going to come get you and breathe down your neck.”
“Arsenal have endured it and will have to endure it for another six to eight weeks. They will never be handed this Premier League title. It doesn’t work that way.”
“It’s a struggle, it’s a battle, it’s a battle and this City team is not the same team that we had against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, but there are still some guys in the dressing room who understand that and know that – especially the manager so they’re going to be very dangerous.”
“I think Arsenal will get there, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they make a mistake and City come back and end up almost crawling over the line.
“It’s going to be a big struggle. I don’t think it’s going to be easy and that game at the Etihad[on April 18 in the Premier League]will be monumental.”
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Jamie Redknapp, Gary Knebel and Theo Walcott speak after Arsenal beat Tottenham 4-1 in the second north London derby of the season
“If Arsenal want the title, they have to win at the Etihad.”
“When Arsenal are aiming for this title, I have thought for years that they need to win at the Etihad, that is the only real way.
“The Carabao Cup final (March 22) is an opportunity to send a message. We are playing against them directly and taking the medal from around our necks could cause them a lot of pain, but what we can do is put ourselves in their shoes and try to beat them.
“If you go to Manchester City on that day, if you win you will shut them up and shake them up completely. But on the other hand, if City beat you like they did a couple of years ago when Arsenal were having problems defensively, you would be rocked.
“It’s a long way off. We shouldn’t start thinking about it now, but we know it’s coming. Arsenal fans know it’s coming, City fans know it’s coming and they’ll be fighting for places.”
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After Tottenham’s heavy north London derby defeat to Arsenal, Gary Neville said Spurs’ problems were no longer a one-off, but a worrying pattern. Neville warns club is currently in serious situation
“I think it would give Arteta a little bit of comfort if they could give them a cushion in that game. This year, Arsenal may be a few points ahead, they may be close to the tie, they may be three points ahead, but they’re going to go win at City and that’s the moment they really realize they’re the champions.”
“But that’s a wild prediction for a game that will be played in five or six weeks, and a lot will have happened by then.
“Arsenal sent the perfect message (on Sunday) so City’s focus next week will be on a very difficult game away to Leeds on Saturday and then Arsenal play Chelsea on Sunday.
“If City are going to do that (win against Leeds), Arsenal have to do it again. If they can go get a point, it’s a big advantage to be ahead and that’s what Pep is looking at now.”
“I love this point in the season. I love it when there’s a title fight. There’s nothing worse than when the season is coming to an end…I think there’s going to be a little blockbuster, and I think it’s going to be exciting.”
