“Don’t get carried away by that lucky win”: Gary Neville has revealed why he thinks Arsenal will not win the Premier League title again
Gary Neville believes Arsenal’s celebrations after the win against Liverpool were immature and reduced the team’s chances of winning the Premier League this season.
After the Gunners had dazzled in the first half on Sunday, taking the lead through Bukay Sako, they were pushed back by a disastrous own goal from Gabriel Magalhaes just before half-time.
Liverpool played well after the break, but Virgil van Dijk and Alisson’s mistakes allowed Gabriel Martinelli to score. Leandro Trossard then made it 3-1 and Ibrahima Konate was sent off.
Jamie Carragher criticized Arsenal for the crazy celebrations at full-time, while Neville was also critical, but for very different reasons.
The former Manchester United right-back believes the lack of creativity will ultimately be Arsenal’s downfall and that the players’ reaction revealed how little they believe in their chances of winning the title this season.
“I don’t think those who thought they were going to win the title celebrated at the end,” Neville told Sky Sports after the game.
“I think it was a celebration by a team that didn’t want to be out of the title race and that was the relief we saw at the end.
“I agree with what Gael [Clichy] said about the word ruthless. I think Arsenal, when I see them, are a better team than Liverpool, but I think Liverpool are a more ruthless team, more ruthless in the final third.
‘ And I think that in the end it can cost them, and I’m the one who said at the beginning of the season that I thought Arsenal would win the league.
“But there are still so many signs today, so many examples of Arsenal not having that killer instinct at the back of the pitch, that I think it will hurt them at some point in the latter part of this season.
“So for me they are a really well-coached team, their system is good, their way of playing is good, but they are missing that really important last part.
“Liverpool have Jota, Salah, Gakpa, Diaz, they have so many threats from Liverpool. And I think that will be a problem in the end.
He added: “As for the celebrations, I am past the idea of criticizing teams for celebrating. I still think there is some immaturity in their celebrations.
“Having said that, it was a relief for me that they didn’t fall behind by eight points.
