Gary Neville says Arsenal have answered questions in their win at Tottenham, and withstood the pressure put on them by Manchester City in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners were 4-1 winners at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, sending them five points clear at the top of the table.
It comes after questions were asked on their mentality following a 2-2 draw at Wolves in midweek, and hours after Man City beat Newcastle to close the gap.
Speaking after the game on the Gary Neville Podcast, the Sky Sports pundit believes Arsenal stood up to the multiple challenges they faced, and gave his assessment of how the title race could pan out in the coming weeks…
“It was really important what happened today because it’s too early for that real title pressure. We’re not quite in the home straight – there’s 10 games to go and they are eroding fast.
“But this is going to get really hot when it gets into April. You’re now getting to a point whereby games really do count and when you drop points – and Arsenal have been on a difficult run.
“There were big question marks of Arsenal at the start of the game and they handled it. They played well and they dominated the first 20 minutes. They then go and get the goal and it’s really good.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from the Premier League clash between Tottenham and Arsenal
“Then they have the one blip when they let Tottenham back in it within 30 seconds, so there’s another big question coming when they come out for the second half, but they’ve answered it.
“The big question at 2-1 then is ‘can they go and kill the game off? Are they going to let Tottenham back into it?’ And they’ve answered that.
“There’s a number of questions throughout this match that Arsenal have answered. Can they score goals? They’ve done everything right today and playing here [at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium] was perfect for them.”
‘Man City sent a message – and Arsenal withstood it’
“Man City are dangerous with the fact they’ve got [Omar] Marmoush, [Erling] Haaland, [Rayan] Cherki, [Antoine] Semenyo, [Phil] Foden. If they can keep the centre-backs fit, they’ve got a chance. The goalkeeper’s good, the manager is exceptional.
“The celebrations at the end [after Newcastle] from Haaland and Pep Guardiola were meaningful. They were sending a message – that was mind games at play. Pep will say it’s not, but it is.
“Every time you speak now for the next two months, every time you do something on the pitch, it’s going to be transmitting to the opposition team – that’s vulnerabilities, strength, celebrations, whatever it is.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle.
“So what Arsenal had to cope with and the questions that they’ve had to answer, I missed one of them out and that was the fact that Man City have sent a message that we’re coming for you and we’re going to be breathing down your neck.
“Arsenal have withstood that, and they’re going to have to withstand that for another six to eight weeks. They were never going to get this Premier League title handed to them on a plate. It doesn’t work like that.
“It’s a struggle, it’s a battle, it’s a fight and this City team aren’t quite the team that were going through those fights with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, but there’s still some characters in that dressing room who understand it and know it – and particularly the manager, so they’re going to be so dangerous.
“I think Arsenal will get there, but it doesn’t surprise me that they are making mistakes and that City are coming back at them. They’ll almost crawl over the line in the end.
“It’s going to be a massive struggle. I don’t think it’s going to be easy and that game is going to be monumental at the Etihad [in the Premier League on April 18].”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jamie Redknapp, Gary Nevlle and Theo Walcott have their say after Arsenal beat Tottenham 4-1 in the North London derby for the second time this season
‘If Arsenal want the title, they have to win at the Etihad’
“I have thought for a number of years when Arsenal have been going for this title that they’re going to have to go and win at the Etihad. That’s the only real way.
“The Carabao Cup final [on March 22] is a chance to send a message, because you’re playing directly against them and you can cause them some real pain by taking a medal from around the necks, but what you can do is go and beat them at their own place.
“You go into Manchester City on that day and you’re going to silence them and rock them to the core if you win. But on the other hand, if City beat you up like they did two or three years ago, when Arsenal had those problems defensively, it rocks you the other way.
“That’s in the far distance, it’s not to start thinking about that now, but we know it’s coming. The Arsenal fans know it’s coming, the City fans know it’s coming and it’s about jostling for position
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
After Tottenham’s heavy North London derby defeat to Arsenal, Gary Neville says Spurs’ problems are no longer a one-off, it’s a worrying pattern. Neville warns the club are in real trouble now
“If you can just have a cushion going into that game, it gives Arteta a bit of comfort. This is the moment this year where Arsenal might be a couple of points in front, they might be near to level, they might be three points in front, but I think they’ll go and win at City and that’ll be where you really do recognise that they are champions.
“But that’s a wild prediction about a game that’s coming in five or six weeks, and by then a lot will have happened.
“Arsenal have sent the perfect message [on Sunday], so what City will be looking towards next week is a really difficult game away at Leeds on the Saturday, and Arsenal play Chelsea on the Sunday.
“Then Arsenal have got to go and do it again, if City do that [win at Leeds]. Playing first is a big advantage if you can go and get the points on the board, and that’s what Pep will be looking at right now.
“I love this point in the season. I love it when there’s a title race; there’s nothing worse when you see a season peter out… I think we’re going to get a bit of a blockbuster and it’s going to be exciting.”
