Premier League title is ‘Arsenal’s to win’, says Gary Neville, as Jamie Carragher lauds influence of Gabriel | Football News
Gary Neville says the Premier League title race is Arsenal’s to lose after the league leaders opened up a four-point gap at the top and their direct rivals continued to falter.
This weekend saw Arsenal – unbeaten since August – record their fourth successive victory, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all losing, meaning the Gunners’ closest challengers are currently Bournemouth.
Neville believes Mikel Arteta has come up with a formula that may not be “spectacular”, but his best asset – consistency – will be enough to reposition the London club as “the best in the country” after a string of second-place finishes.
“This has to be their year,” Neville said. “I’ve had Arsenal to win the championship for the last three years – now four.
“They are not better than last year, but they are repeating levels of consistency and that is all they will have to do this year to win the championship. They will not need to score 100 points, or even 90.
“The 80s will win the title, they can do it.”
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Arsenal’s win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Arteta’s side are certainly building a case on defensive foundations. Solidity has been a key element under the Spaniard – Arsenal have only been beaten three times this season, earning six clean sheets from nine played.
Tottenham, Sunderland and Manchester City are their closest competitors in this regard, having all shipped seven since the start of the term.
“Arsenal are reliable, you can trust them. They don’t concede goals,” Neville added. “They don’t have a sensational striker, but they have a battering ram who is as honest as the day is long and can work for them.
“It’s your title, Arsenal. I’ve never really been so sure before, it’s so early in the season, but it really is. It’s not about being overconfident or putting pressure on, they have to feel it themselves. This is the moment where Arsenal can get back on top.
“The chance is there for them, they must seize it.”
Carra is full of praise for the “colossus” Gabriel
Jamie Carragher has named defender Gabriel as the “most influential” player in the Premier League, highlighting his authority in both boxes as a crucial part of Arsenal’s recent success.
“It feels like set pieces are going to continue to be a big theme. There’s no team more ready to win the Premier League if that’s the way the league goes,” he said. Sky Sports Extra Time to show.
Arsenal have the best defensive record in the Premier League
“This Arsenal team was built to deal with situations like this, in terms of squad size and power.
“For a long time I said Arteta was trying to win the championship like a José Mourinho team. There is nothing wrong with that. The most important thing is to win.
“Gabriel is the leader. He is a colossus at the back and the best set-piece threat. It happens in every game. He is the best defender on a team that produces the best defensive numbers.
“I think Gabriel is the most influential player in the Premier League right now.
“If Arsenal want to win the Premier League, he will be on course to win the PFA Player of the Year award. He is the No.1 contender.”
Magic moment maker Eze can help decide title race
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Eberechi Eze was the winner in Arsenal’s match against his former
Analysis by William Bitibiri:
Arsenal are already in siege mode in their quest for the Premier League title. The bottom line is king, even if it means sacrificing aesthetics for efficiency. However, in almost poetic fashion, summer signing Eberechi Eze showed against his former club why he could tip the scales in Arsenal’s favor in May.
To navigate the inevitable difficulties of a title quest, Arsenal are taking full advantage of what they are good at: set pieces.
Players like Gabriel and William Saliba dominate when it comes to dead ball situations, but when they need an X-factor, in the past Arsenal have been lacking.
With Eze on the pitch, it’s like a weight has been lifted off Bukayo Saka’s shoulders. His winning goal came from a set piece, but it was the technique and audacity of a player used to performing in big moments.
Palace know this well, and it was brought home when he scored a goal in the first half, scoring his first Premier League goal for the Gunners.
“Eze one hundred percent delivers magical moments,” Arteta said. “He’s certainly a great player and I hope this gives him a big boost and confidence to generate many more moments like this, because it’s the moment that sometimes defines a season.”
Arsenal need magical moments. Eze could give Arsenal the magical moments that see them cross the finish line.