Gary Neville, a renowned football pundit, has reiterated his prediction that Arsenal will emerge as the Premier League champions at the end of this season. Despite their current position and recent performance, Neville remains confident in the Gunners' potential.
Arsenal currently holds third place in the league table after experiencing a mixed start to their campaign. Their victories over Aston Villa and Tottenham, along with an impressive draw against Manchester City despite being down to 10 men, have sparked optimism among fans. These results have led many to believe that Arsenal could finally end their over two-decade wait for English football’s most prestigious prize.
However, following a four-game winless streak and losing points consecutively against Fulham and Everton, they now find themselves six points behind league leaders Liverpool. This is even more significant considering they've played one game more than Liverpool.
Neville stands by his prediction
Despite these setbacks, Gary Neville - who initially predicted back in August that Arsenal would be crowned champions - remains steadfast in his belief. He asserts that Mikel Arteta’s side will see improvement as we move into the new year.
Gary Neville, Manchester United legend, said:
"I’m going to go with Arsenal [to win the title] on the basis that I think they’ll hit their form,"
"They’ve got a decent run of fixtures over Christmas, I think they’ll get within a couple of points, a few points, and I think they will hit their form in the new year and I do think they will win the league this season.
"Top four… I’ve not got full faith in Tottenham, Aston Villa and, to be fair, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and all the other teams that are in and around it. I think it will be City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal at this moment in time. It’s the first time I haven’t said United will be in the top four, I think, in about 15 years!"
Neville's unwavering confidence may seem surprising given recent performances; however it highlights his faith in Arteta's leadership and strategic capabilities. It also underscores his belief in the team's ability to bounce back from adversity.
Upcoming matches for Arsenal
The Gunners are set to return to Premier League action on Saturday when they face Crystal Palace once again following Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup quarter-final match-up. They will then conclude this year at home against Ipswich Town.
These upcoming matches present an opportunity for Arsenal not only to regain lost ground but also prove Gary Neville right by demonstrating their championship potential.
While there are challenges ahead for Mikel Arteta's side, the unwavering belief of pundits like Gary Neville in their potential to improve and triumph is a testament to Arsenal's enduring appeal. As we move into the new year, all eyes will be on Arsenal as they strive to live up to these high expectations and make a strong push for the Premier League title.
