Gary Neville insists he ‘hasn’t changed’ his opinion on the Premier League title race despite being impressed by Arsenal’s battling draw with Liverpool at Anfield.
Arsenal’s attempts to restore their eight-point lead over title rivals Manchester City was thwarted on Sunday as Liverpool came from two goals down to draw 2-2.
The Gunners scored early through Gabriel Martinelli and fellow Brazilian Gabriel Jesus doubled Arsenal’s lead midway through the first half.
But Mohamed Salah pulled a goal back before half-time and Roberto Firmino headed home a deserved equaliser late on to deny Arsenal the three points.
Neville says Arsenal were ‘brilliant’ in the first half and should not feel too down about forfeiting a two-goal cushion and leaving Anfield with a point.
But the former Manchester United defender does expect the Gunners to fall short in the title race and be overtaken by defending champions Manchester City, who thumped Southampton 4-1 earlier in the weekend.
While Man City remain six points behind Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s side can make up ground when they play their game in hand and also face the Gunners at home later in the month.
‘This game was absolutely wonderful and we’ve got six more weeks left of this,’ Neville said of the thrilling title race on his Sky Sports podcast.
‘I have thought all the way through that Man City would just edge it. I haven’t changed my opinion after today or even altered it slightly because I still think there will be points dropped from each side, but I think Arsenal will drop more points.
‘I think Mikel Arteta will be proud of his players tonight. I would be proud of them. But he will also know they’ve got a hell of a period coming up.
‘They go to Man City, Newcastle, West Ham, they’re all difficult games. City have got some difficult ones too and there will be a lot more moments where Arsenal feel like the whole world is watching them.
‘The whole football world was watching them today and they weren’t disappointed. They made a few mistakes but all in all Arsenal fans should be pretty happy and proud with that.
‘This is not a time to lose doubt, you can lose or draw here in any season. This is a terror of a game to have in a title run-in.’
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