Following a comprehensive 2-0 victory over North London neighbours Tottenham, league leaders Arsenal have stretched the gap at the summit to eight points.
The Gunners were also dealt a helping hand by Manchester United, who prevailed victorious in their own local derby with champions City after two late goals sunk Pep Guardiola’s side and allowed the league’s frontrunners to restore a sizeable gap at the top.
Erik Ten Hag’ side have moved within a point of Manchester City as a result, and in doing so have confirmed their status as a potential title contender as they extended their winning streak to nine successive games.
For both Arsenal and United, another monumental fixture in the race for the Premier League is on the horizon as the duo face each other at the Emirates on Sunday.
Although we are only just approaching the half-way stage of the 2022/23 season, Arsenal’s lead at the summit, coupled with their new-found winning mentality and stylish brand of football has led to observers already pegging them as title winners for the first time since 2004.
However, in the aftermath of the North London Derby last weekend, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville gave his take on Mikel Arteta’s chances of leading his side to the Premier League title, controversially claiming that he expects both Manchester clubs to finish above them come the end of the season.
When asked if Arsenal will win the Premier League, Neville said: “No. But I said Leicester wouldn’t win the league. They won’t win the league. Manchester City will win the league, and I think Man Utd will finish second, and I know that will annoy Arsenal fans!
“At some point, there will be a very difficult period for Arsenal this season. Is it conceivable that Arsenal are going to continue as they are? I don’t think it is. Could they draw two and lose one in a three-game period, and if they did that, their lead is gone, and the pack is up with them? That’s what I think is going to happen, we’ll see a traditional Premier League season where a team goes out, the pacemaker, and then they’ll get drawn back in a little bit. But I still think that this season is going to be far better for Arsenal than I ever imagined it would be.”
Indeed, Gunners fans have taken to social media to vent their frustration over the United legend’s comments.
Watching Gary Neville commentate on Arsenal is just painful, it’s got to the stage it shouldn’t be allowed
— Sam (@Afcsammmm) January 16, 2023
Gary Neville is absolutely hating commentating on this match. Every positive thing he has to say about Arsenal is so hard for him to say lol.
— Dapo CEO (@DapoCeo) January 15, 2023
Despite Arsenal possessing the second-best defensive record in the league, losing just once all season and scoring just three goals less than Manchester City, fellow pundits are also choosing to remain cautious over their chances of claiming the title.
Little under two weeks ago, the entirety of Sky Sports’ panel which included Graeme Souness, Jamie Redknapp and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink all predicted Man City to pip them as league leaders come the end of the season.
However, Arsenal legend Ian Wright was eager for fans not to get too far ahead of themselves, but expressed the importance of keeping standout performers Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard off the injury list.
Mikel Arteta’s side are in the midst of their toughest run of fixtures until April, having already played top-four hopefuls Newcastle, local rivals Tottenham, before they face Manchester United this weekend and direct title rivals City on February 15th.
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