Gary Neville performs Premier League title U-turn after Man City and Arsenal drama
Arsenal and Manchester City met for the first time this season on Sunday with the two Premier League title rivals playing out a dramatic draw that Gary Neville believes will prove crucial
by Jacob Leeks · The MirrorGary Neville has changed his mind after previously backing Arsenal to finally win the Premier League title.
The Gunners were forced to settle for a dramatic draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Erling Haaland put City ahead early on before Ricciardo Calafiori scored a wondergoal to get the visitors back on level terms.
Gabriel then powered in a header to put them ahead but their hopes of a famous win were dent when Leandro Trossard was sent off after picking up a silly second yellow. Despite a staunch defensive effort in the second-half, their resistance was broken in the 98th minute by John Stones.
City currently lead the way in the Premier League, having won the last three titles in succession. But before the season, Neville put his backing behind Arsenal to end their 20-year title drought.
"I went with Arsenal to win the Premier League last year and I'm sticking with them this season. They are on an upward trajectory and they are getting better every single year," he told Sky News in pre-season.
"Obviously, they are up against of the great sides this league has ever produced in Manchester City under Pep Guardiola so it is always going to be tough. However, I feel like Arsenal have stability with the manager Mikel Arteta.
"And they have stability in a team that is still improving. You cannot write of Manchester City, but I am going for Arsenal again. They were so close last year and I think they will be able to make that extra step this time."
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But in the aftermath of Sunday's game, Neville has admitted his doubts over the Gunners are growing. The Manchester United icon believes Sunday's game and Stones' equaliser in particular, may well prove crucial in the title race.
"I backed Arsenal at the start of the season because I just felt as though when a team's hunting you down, eventually they get there, more often than not, when they're getting closer and closer," Neville told Sky Sports.
"Today felt like a monumental, defining moment in this journey that Arsenal are on, of trying to get to a league title. Two seasons ago they quite simply fell apart in the last 10 games, last season they went so close, and then you think, right, okay, they're learning, they're maturing.
"You just think, where will we be in April and May with this game? Will we be going back to that final minute, and what happened with the John Stones goal, will we be thinking that City win the title by one point, and that moment determines it?
"It's ridiculous, because there will be dropped points, and there will be mistakes, and there will be lots of victories before the end of the season, but it is that type of situation when you're up against Pep Guardiola, he makes you feel that way."
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