Former Manchester United player, Gary Neville, has expressed scepticism regarding Arsenal’s ability to clinch the Premier League title this season. He has suggested that their exuberant celebrations following their victory over Liverpool may indicate a lack of maturity.
During Sunday’s match, Arsenal exhibited a strong performance in the first half, securing a lead with a goal from Bukayo Saka. However, their momentum was disrupted when Gabriel Magalhaes scored an own goal just before half-time. In the second half, a mix-up between Virgil van Dijk and Alisson resulted in a goal for Gabriel Martinelli, with Leandro Trossard sealing the 3-1 win after Ibrahima Konate was sent off.
Neville criticised Arsenal’s celebratory display at the end of the match, interpreting it as a sign of their doubt in their ability to win the title this season. He expressed concern over their lack of cutting edge, suggesting that it could be their downfall in the end.
In Neville’s analysis on Sky Sports, he stated, “The celebrations at the end I don’t think were of a team that thought they were going to go on and win the title. I think they were of a team that didn’t want to be out of a title race, and that was the relief that we saw at the end.”
He also highlighted Arsenal’s deficiency in the final third compared to more ruthless teams like Liverpool. He believes that this lack of killer instinct could be a critical factor that hinders Arsenal’s success later in the season.
Neville’s observations led him to acknowledge that, despite his initial prediction that Arsenal would win the league, there are still evident signs of their struggle in crucial moments. He emphasised that while Arsenal is a well-coached team with a good system, they seem to be lacking that essential killer instinct in the final phase of the game.
Additionally, he criticised Arsenal’s celebrations, describing them as immature and suggesting that they displayed a sense of relief at not being far behind in the title race.
In conclusion, Neville’s analysis offers a compelling perspective on Arsenal’s performance and prospects in the Premier League. While his comments might disappoint Arsenal fans, they provide valuable insights into the team’s current challenges and areas for improvement. It will be interesting to see how Arsenal respond to this criticism and whether they can address the issues highlighted by Neville as they continue their title pursuit.