Neville questions Arsenal's title belief after draw with Manchester City

Gary Neville has questioned whether Arsenal truly believe they can win the Premier League after their 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium. A late strike from Gabriel Martinelli salvaged a point for Arsenal against fellow title contenders City, but Neville said the performance felt short of the ambition needed to lift the title.

Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Manchester United captain criticized Mikel Arteta’s game plan as “basic,” arguing that Arsenal’s approach did not reflect the cutting edge required for an elite title challenge. He pointed to the starting lineup as a point of concern, highlighting the inclusion of Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino and suggesting the half-time substitutions signaling a plan not going to plan. Neville said that when a manager makes two changes at halftime, it is a sign the initial plan has failed and that the players you started with may not be able to win the game in all circumstances.

Neville argued that Arsenal cannot wait to win a league and must cultivate the edge, creativity and goals needed to challenge at the highest level. He noted that Arsenal have relied heavily on set pieces for goals — six of their nine goals prior to the City game came from set plays, with one from a penalty — and questioned why a squad loaded with attacking talent could not generate more chances in big games. “Saka, Martinelli, Gyokeres, Havertz, Eze, Trossard, Nwaneri, Madueki, Odegaard — that is a collection of brilliant footballers. So what’s holding them back? What’s stopping them from becoming a thrill when they attack?” he asked.

Neville also wondered aloud whether Arteta and his players truly believe they can win the league, and whether the manager knows how to guide a title bid over a full season. He recalled his own experience at Manchester United, where senior players and a proven winner in the dugout helped push a team across the line, contrasting that with his perception of Arsenal’s leadership and experience. “I’ve predicted Arsenal will win the league…but does the manager and the players really believe, number one, that they can win the league? Do they really believe? The second bit is do they know how to win a league?” he said, suggesting a handbrake-like approach has held Arsenal back in big matches.

His views mirrored those of Jamie Carragher, who argued that Arsenal wasted a crucial 45 minutes against City. Carragher praised the squad as one of the strongest in the league and believed they were close to becoming a really special outfit, but criticized the way Arteta has sometimes set them up for big games. He said the team could have taken control and that the second half should have featured more attacking intent rather than trying to protect a lead. “I think Arsenal are a brilliant team, for me the best squad in the Premier League, and I thought they would come here and win like 2-0 against City,” Carragher said. “Time after time when it comes to these big games he picks a team that feels like he’s thinking more about the opposition.”

In the broader context, Arsenal have finished second in the league in three consecutive seasons and remain in the mix for a first title in years. The debate over how much risk Arteta should take in big games continues to shape the narrative around the Gunners’ title bid. As the season progresses, supporters and pundits alike will be watching to see whether Arsenal pivot to a more expansive attacking philosophy or maintain a cautious approach in pursuit of silverware.