Gary Neville said Arsenal are losing the Premier League title race after the league leaders opened a four-point gap at the top and their direct rivals continued to falter.
At the weekend Arsenal – unbeaten since August – recorded their fourth success in a row, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all lost, which means that the closest opponents of the “Gunners” are currently Bournemouth.
Neville believes Mikel Arteta has come up with a formula that may not be “spectacular” but their best asset – consistency – will be enough to reposition the London club as “the best in the country” after a run in second place.
“This has got to be their year,” Neville said. “I’ve had Arsenal win the league for the last three years – four now.
“They’re not better than last year but they’re repeating levels of consistency and that’s all they’ll need to do this year to win the league. They won’t need to get 100 points or even 90.”
“High 80s will win the title – they can do it.”
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Arsenal’s Premier League win against Crystal Palace.
Arteta’s side are certainly building arguments on defensive grounds. Firmness has been key for the Spaniard – Arsenal have only conceded three times this season, earning six clean sheets from nine appearances.
Tottenham, Sunderland and Manchester City are their closest competitors in that regard, having all delivered seven since the start of the term.
“Arsenal are reliable, you can trust them. They don’t concede goals,” added Neville. “They don’t have a sensational striker but they have a batter who is honest as long as the day is long and that can work in their favor.
“This is your title, Arsenal. I’ve never been so sure before, it’s so early in the season, but it really is. It’s not overconfidence or pressure, they have to feel it themselves. This is the moment when Arsenal can go back to the top.
“The chance is there for them; they have to take it.”
Kara praises the ‘colossus’ Gabriel
Jamie Carragher has named defender Gabriel as the Premier League’s “most influential” player, pointing to his authority in both boxes as a key element in Arsenal’s recent success.
“I feel set pieces will continue to be a big theme. There is no team more ready to win the Premier League if this is the way the league is going,” he said Extension for Ski Sports show
Arsenal have the best defensive record in the Premier League
“This Arsenal team is built to deal with situations like this, in terms of the height of the team and their power.”
“I have said for a long time that Arteta is trying to win the league as Jose Mourinho’s team. There is nothing wrong with that. The most important thing is to win.
“Gabriel is a leader. He’s a colossus in the back and the best set-piece threat. This happens every game. He’s the best defender on the team who produces the best defensive numbers.”
“I think Gabriel is the most influential player in the Premier League at the moment.
“If Arsenal want to win the Premier League, he will be on course to win the PFA Player of the Year. He is No.1.”
Magic moment creator Eze can help decide the title race
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Eberechi Eze was Arsenal’s winner in the match against his ex
Analysis William Bitibiri:
Arsenal are already under siege in their pursuit of the Premier League title. Results have become king, even if that means sacrificing aesthetics for efficiency. However, almost poetically, 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 grind of their title pursuit, Arsenal are making full use of what they do best: set-pieces.
The likes of Gabriel and William Saliba dominate when it comes to dead-ball situations, but when they need the X-factor, Arsenal have fallen short in the past.
With Eze on the pitch, it was as if a weight had been lifted off Bukayo Saka’s shoulders. His match-winner came as a set-piece, but that’s the technique and guts of a player used to delivering results in big moments.
Palace know this well and were reminded of it when they put one in in the first half to score their first Premier League goal for the Gunners.
“One hundred percent Eze provides magical moments,” said Arteta. “He’s certainly a great player and hopefully that will give him a big boost and confidence to create many more moments like this because it’s a moment that defines a season sometimes.”
Arsenal need moments of magic. Eze could provide Arsenal with the magical moments that see them over the line.