Gary Neville says Arsenal should lose the Premier League title race as they open up a four-point gap at the top and their direct rivals continue to struggle.
At the weekend, Arsenal, unbeaten since August, recorded a fourth straight win, but Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all lost, meaning the Gunners’ nearest challenger now lies with Bournemouth.
Neville believes Mikel Arteta’s formula may not be ‘great’, but his biggest asset – stability – is enough to return the London club to the ‘best in the country’ status after a run of second place.
“This has got to be their year,” Neville said. “I’ve helped Arsenal win the league for the last three years and it’s been four years now.
“They’re not miles better than last year, but they’re repeating a consistent level and that’s all they have to do this year to win the league. They don’t have to score 100 points, they don’t have to score 90 points.”
“They could have won a title in the late ’80s. They can do it.”
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Watch for free: Highlights of the Premier League victory between Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
Arteta’s side are certainly building their case on defensive fundamentals. Solidity has been a staple under the Spanish manager – Arsenal have only been broken three times this season and have kept six clean sheets in nine games.
Tottenham, Sunderland and Manchester City are our closest rivals in this regard, all having shipped seven games since the start of term.
Neville added: “You can trust Arsenal, you can trust them. They don’t concede goals.” “They don’t have a sensational forward, but they have a battering ram who is honest even when the days are long and that works for them.
“This is your title, Arsenal. I’ve never been so sure so early in the season, but I really am. It’s not overconfidence, it’s not putting pressure on, they can feel it themselves. This is the moment when Arsenal can get back to the top.”
“The opportunity is theirs. They have to seize it.”
Kara praises ‘Colossus’ Gabriel
Jamie Carragher named defender Gabriel as the Premier League’s “most influential” player, citing his authority in both boxes as a key factor in Arsenal’s recent success.
“I feel like set-pieces will continue to be a big theme. If the Premier League continues like this, there’s no team more poised to win the Premier League,” he said on Sky Sports’ extra-time show.
Arsenal have the best defensive record in the Premier League
“This Arsenal team is built to handle situations like this in terms of the height and power of the team.
“I have said for a long time that Arteta is trying to win the league like Jose Mourinho’s team. There is nothing wrong with that. The most important thing is to win.”
“Gabriel is a leader. He is a colossus at the back and the best set-piece threat. This happens every game. He is the best defender in a team that produces the best defensive numbers.”
“I think Gabriel is the most influential player in the Premier League at the moment.
“If Arsenal win the Premier League, he will be on track to win the PFA Player of the Year award. He is the No. 1 candidate.”
Magic moment maker Eze can help decide the title fight
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Eberechi Eze was the winner against Arsenal’s former team
Analysis by William Vitibili:
Arsenal are already in siege mode as they look to win the Premier League title. Results became paramount, even if it meant sacrificing aesthetics for efficiency. But summer signing Eberechi Eze was almost poetic as he showed his former club why he could turn things in Arsenal’s favor in May.
Arsenal are making the most of their set-pieces to overcome the inevitable challenges in their quest for the title.
Players like Gabriel and William Saliba are dominant when it comes to dead ball situations, but Arsenal have proven lacking in the past when they need the X-factor.
Having Eze on the pitch seems to have lifted a weight off Bukayo Saka’s shoulders. His match-winners were the result of set-pieces, but that’s the technique and audacity of a player used to contributing in key moments.
Palace are well aware of that and were reminded of it when they scored in the first half to give the Gunners their first Premier League goal.
“100 percent Eze will provide magical moments,” Arteta said. “He’s definitely a big player and I hope that gives him a big boost and confidence and creates more moments like this, because sometimes they are season-defining moments.”
Arsenal need magical moments. Eze could bring Arsenal a magical moment over the line.
