Gary Neville has major doubts about Arsenal’s ability to win the Premier League this season but doesn’t think they can do it without Declan Rice, William Saliba and Gabriel.
Arsenal will carry all the momentum heading into the international break following an impressive 1-0 win at home against Manchester City without star man Bukayo Saka.
The result leaves the Gunners tied at the top of the table with fellow North London outfit Spurs, continuing their unbeaten start to the season with six wins and two draws.
Sky Sports pundit and Manchester United legend Neville has been vocal with his concerns about Arsenal’s ability to get over the line and win a first title in two decades.
The 48-year-old agreed that while keeping Saka and match-winner Gabriel Martinelli fit is vital for their hopes, the defensive core of the team is more important.
He said: “More important than that are the two centre-backs and Declan Rice. They will not win the league if they don’t have the two centre-backs and Rice.
“I was worried about the goalkeeper in the first-half today, that was close. He’s averted a little bit of a crisis there, if he concedes a goal in the first-half with one of those moments of anxiety – honestly, you’ve seen it go like that (down).
“Hopefully tonight he’s sort of gone home and reflected, he came out a lot better in the second-half. I don’t know what he (Mikel Arteta) said to them all at half-time because they all came out better but he (David Raya) had to get through that game and he did.
“That could’ve been a real problem.”
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“They will not win the league if they don’t have the two centre backs and Rice”
Do you agree with @GNev2? 👀 pic.twitter.com/Wa2AOmDyDz
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 8, 2023
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