Manchester United icon Gary Neville has taken to social media to criticise Arsenal's collapse in the Premier League title race.
The north Londoners had led the league by as much as eight points earlier this season but a run of just two wins in their last seven fixtures has seen them all but hand Manchester City their fifth title in six seasons, with the Citizens able to officially become champions if they beat Chelsea next weekend. One pundit that consistently backed City to overcome the Gunners in the title race was Neville, who remained sceptical of Mikel Arteta's side throughout the season.
Now, the former England right-back has written a damning tweet regarding Arsenal's end-of-season form after yesterday's 3-0 defeat to Brighton, admitting that Arteta's young team struggled when the going got tough. "Arsenal have had a great season but when the going got tough they struggled," he wrote.
READ MORE: Arsenal hit with injury blow as Gabriel Martinelli off vs Brighton
"It seems now the narrative is that it’s City’s strength, injuries and a tough run in is the cause. These are normal factors that need pricing into a title race. Arsenal have dropped 12 pts in 7 games! Won 9pts from a possible 21. All the characteristics of it being too much have appeared.
"Loss of form, giving up leads, energy and legs going, making unforced errors not seen earlier in the season, young players becoming tense and losing their freedom of expression and others showing too much emotion when calmness is needed. I understand why we want to use less emotive language in 2023.
"However in a high performance environment and at elite level we must still recognise when pressure has taken its toll. That league table below was only 7 games and 5 weeks ago.
"I hope these Arsenal players are there again one day (if it’s not United) and can see it through."
READ NEXT:
Moises Caicedo's classy gesture, referee forgets the rules: Arsenal moments missed vs Brighton
Roy Keane disagrees with VAR over Gabriel Martinelli decision during Arsenal vs Brighton
Every word Mikel Arteta said on if the title race is over, need to improve and Martinelli injury
Arsenal player ratings vs Brighton as Ben White poor but Reiss Nelson shows fight again
Gary Neville left baffled by 'incredible' decision early in Arsenal vs Brighton
