Former Manchester United defender and pundit Gary Neville has made a U-turn on his opinion surrounding Arsenal's chances in the Premier League this season. It comes after the Gunners continue to build on their fine start to the campaign, remaining top of the table after 13 games played.
It's led to them being part of the title talk at such an early stage, with champions Manchester City still firmly on their tail in second. However, they appear to be rising to most challenges thrown their way, with the most recent triumph coming against London rivals Chelsea.
It's led to a change of opinion for Neville, who said on the Overlap, in partnership with Sky Bet back in October: "I don’t think Liverpool will finish in the top four, and Arsenal could still finish outside the top four as well – but I’ll put [them] in for now just to keep all the Arsenal fans happy! I look at Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool – it’s still a big job for Arsenal [to finish in the top four].”
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He has since changed his tune, however, believing they will make it into the top four, but questioning whether they can continue to battle for the title.
Neville was again speaking on The Overlap, in partnership with Sky Bet and said: "Last season we had our reservations about Mikel Arteta, but we wanted to be proved wrong because I like the manager and his style of football. We have 25 matches left in the season, with the massive disruption of the World Cup, but I do see Arsenal getting in the top four this season.
“If Arsenal lose a couple games and the teams below you win those games, the pressure now ramps up and that is when we’ll find out if Arsenal can handle the pressure. The big moment will come in February and March where we will see what Arsenal are made of.
“The only thing Arsenal have proven in the last few years is that they crumble at the end of the season, until I see that they don’t, I’ll still have that doubt. Why would I not?”
It remains to be seen if they can hold their nerve this time around, having failed to do so last season when it mattered. However, the young players have risen to every challenge thrown their way so far and perhaps that experience of missing out can give them the edge come the business end of the campaign.
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