Gary Neville downplays Arsenal’s Premier League title chances and tips Mikel Arteta’s side to finish THIRD

Gary Neville is still backing Manchester City to overtake Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta’s side opened up an eight-point gap on the champions by beating north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday, a day after City had lost to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Pep Guardiola even claimed he didn’t “care” if his side surrendered their crown to Arteta’s Gunners after a nightmare week to have also seen them knocked out of the Carabao Cup.

Arsenal host United next week in what feels like another huge clash at the top of the League. City, meanwhile, host Spurs and neither of those sides are in particularly convincing form.

Neville, who has dismissed Arsenal’s chances of winning a first Premier League title in 19 years throughout the season, still believes City will finish first and is backing Erik ten Hag’s United to finish second.

Speaking to Sky Sports after a dramatic weekend of action, Neville said: “They won’t win the league. Manchester City will win the league, and I think Manchester United will finish second, and I know that will annoy Arsenal fans!

"I’d rather Arsenal win the league than Man City. I think it would be absolutely sensational for the Premier League.

"I think about watching the Premier League, we’ve seen City sweep up, apart from Liverpool, over the past five years. To think Arsenal could come and win it, it adds to our league, it makes our league great.

"The reality of it is, I think at some point Man City will hit a run. Once they do, they’ve got to play Arsenal twice.

Doubt: Neville remains of the belief Arsenal will be overtaken by Manchester City (AFP via Getty Images)

"If Erling Haaland starts to kick on, if City start to purr, if the defence starts to shore up a bit more than it has done, and they need Ruben Dias back if they can, I think City will win it.

"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.”