Gary Neville: Arsenal answered questions in Tottenham win and withstood Man Metropolis stress in Premier League title race

Gary Neville says Arsenal have answered questions of their win at Tottenham, and withstood the stress placed on them by Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League title race.

The Gunners had been 4-1 winners on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, sending them 5 factors clear on the high of the desk.

It comes after questions had been requested on their mentality following a 2-2 draw at Wolves in midweek, and hours after Man Metropolis beat Newcastle to shut the hole.

Talking after the sport on the Gary Neville Podcast, the Sky Sports activities pundit believes Arsenal stood as much as the a number of challenges they confronted, and gave his evaluation of how the title race might pan out within the coming weeks…

“It was actually necessary what occurred at the moment as a result of it is too early for that actual title stress. We’re not fairly within the residence straight – there’s 10 video games to go and they’re eroding quick.

“However that is going to get actually sizzling when it will get into April. You are now getting to a degree whereby video games actually do depend and if you drop factors – and Arsenal have been on a troublesome run.

“There have been massive query marks of Arsenal at the beginning of the sport they usually dealt with it. They performed effectively they usually dominated the primary 20 minutes. They then go and get the objective and it is actually good.

“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 massive query at 2-1 then is ‘can they go and kill the sport off? Are they going to let Tottenham again into it?’ They usually’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 Metropolis despatched 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 on the finish [after Newcastle] from Haaland and Pep Guardiola had been significant. They had been sending a message – that was thoughts video games at play. Pep will say it isn’t, however it’s.

“Each time you communicate now for the subsequent two months, each time you do one thing on the pitch, it may be transmitting to the opposition group – that is vulnerabilities, energy, celebrations, no matter it’s.

“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 are going to have to face up to that for one more six to eight weeks. They had been by no means going to get this Premier League title handed to them on a plate. It would not 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 believe Arsenal will get there, nevertheless it would not shock me that they’re making errors and that Metropolis are coming again at them. They will virtually crawl over the road ultimately.

“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].”

‘If Arsenal need the title, they should win on 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 closing [on March 22] is an opportunity to ship a message, since you’re taking part in immediately towards them and you may trigger them some actual ache by taking a medal from across the necks, however what you are able to do is go and beat them at their very 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 is within the far distance, it is to not begin desirous about that now, however we all know it is coming. The Arsenal followers know it is coming, the Metropolis followers know it is coming and it is about jostling for place

“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.

“However that is a wild prediction a couple of sport that is coming in 5 or 6 weeks, and by then so much can have occurred.

“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 gotten to go and do it once more, if Metropolis try this [win at Leeds]. Enjoying first is a giant benefit if you happen to can go and get the factors on the board, and that is what Pep shall be proper 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.”