Gary Neville has shared his thoughts on the Premier League title race, suggesting a focus on “beautiful football” may not be enough to win the title this season.
With Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool currently competing for top spot, Neville believes a combination of pragmatism and resilience will play a key role in determining the ultimate winner. After 13 games, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are top of the Premier League after beating Brentford. The result came shortly after Liverpool and Manchester City drew 1-1 at the Etihad.
City have dominated the league in recent years, winning five of the last six titles, but both Arsenal and Liverpool are seen as strong contenders this season.Neville sat down with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher to look at Arsenal’s changing style of play. The Gunners took a pragmatic approach, focusing more on solid defense rather than flashy attacking football. Carragher pointed to stats that show Arsenal’s offense has dipped compared to last season, but their defense has vastly improved.
In response to Carragher’s analysis, Marseille said that this Arsenal team has a better chance of winning the league than last year’s team. Neville drew a parallel with Manchester City’s title campaign last season, where functionality was more important than aesthetics. He emphasized that perfect and beautiful football cannot secure a league championship unless it is combined with persistence and perseverance.
Neville praised Arsenal’s improved strength and performance and believes they are a real threat in the title race. He acknowledged that their attractive style of play may take some time to fully emerge, but highlighted progress in key areas. Neville admitted he may have been wrong in his assessment but expressed confidence in Arsenal’s chances based on their performances earlier in the season.
“I think this team has a much better chance of winning the league than last year,” Neville said on Twitter. “They played below their level last year and didn’t get those points. City won the treble last year, although it was less attractive to watch than previous years.” I look at the competition at Arsenal this year. Even in perfect and beautiful football, winning the league is impossible without a combination of fighting spirit and perseverance.
Arsenal have been better in this area this year and the football will come at the right time. They have powers and abilities that make them a real threat. Maybe it’s all bullshit, but a third of the season, that’s how I read it.”Looking ahead, Liverpool face tough games against Arsenal and Manchester United at Anfield next month. The match will provide an additional opportunity to officiate as the contenders battle it out for the Premier League crown.