Gary Neville is skeptical about Manchester City’s chances of clinching the Premier League title this season, favoring another rival to claim the top spot instead.
Even though Manchester City held the league’s lead for the majority of the previous season, Neville confidently predicted that they would ultimately outdo Arsenal for the title. Now, for the 2023/24 season, Neville has weighed in on his pick for the Premier League’s winner.
In a discussion on the Stick to Football podcast sponsored by Sky Bet, Neville expressed his belief that Arsenal could emerge victorious despite their slow start. He anticipates a resurgence of their distinctive style of play seen in the previous season.
Neville’s concern with Arsenal lies in their striking department, suggesting that while Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah are commendable, they might not be the primary striker the team needs. He emphasizes the necessity for a top-tier striker to lead the attacking line.
He remains optimistic, stating that Arsenal might follow an opposite trajectory from the previous season, potentially starting slower and finishing stronger, especially post-Christmas or around March, a time he deems suitable for a resurgence.
Arsenal presently sit in third place, just a point behind league leaders Manchester City and trailing Liverpool only on goal difference. With Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa in close pursuit, the Premier League is shaping up to be fiercely competitive, especially with the packed festive schedule ahead.
However, Neville’s former teammate at Manchester United, Roy Keane, holds a contrasting view. Keane is unconvinced by the challengers’ capabilities, expressing disappointment in the Premier League’s recent standards. He acknowledges Manchester City’s excellence but criticizes the lack of quality displayed by other teams.
Keane firmly believes that despite the current landscape, Manchester City is poised to secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive title, considering the league’s overall standard and the lack of substantial improvement among the other competing teams.