Gary Neville changes his mind on Premier League prediction after Man City and Arsenal draw

Gary Neville has reconsidered his prediction after initially backing Arsenal to win the Premier League title this season.

The Gunners were forced to settle for a dramatic 2-2 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Erling Haaland opened the scoring for City early on, but Riccardo Calafiori’s spectacular goal leveled the game for the visitors.

Arsenal’s Gabriel then powered in a header to put them ahead, but their hopes of securing a famous victory were dashed when Leandro Trossard received a second yellow card and was sent off.

Despite a resolute defensive effort in the second half, John Stones equalized in the 98th minute to deny Arsenal all three points.

Manchester City currently sit atop the Premier League table, having won the last three consecutive titles.

Before the season kicked off, Neville had backed Arsenal to break their 20-year title drought.

However, this recent setback may have caused him to reassess their chances.

“I went with Arsenal to win the Premier League last year and I’m sticking with them this season,” he told Sky News in pre-season.

“They are on an upward trajectory and they are getting better every single year.

“Obviously, they are up against of the great sides this league has ever produced in Manchester City under Pep Guardiola so it is always going to be tough.

“However, I feel like Arsenal have stability with the manager Mikel Arteta.

“And they have stability in a team that is still improving.

“You cannot write of Manchester City, but I am going for Arsenal again.

“They were so close last year and I think they will be able to make that extra step this time.”

Following Sunday’s match, Gary Neville has expressed growing doubts about Arsenal’s ability to win the Premier League title.

The Manchester United legend believes that the game, especially John Stones’ crucial equalizer, could be a pivotal moment in the title race.

“I backed Arsenal at the start of the season because I just felt as though when a team’s hunting you down, eventually they get there, more often than not, when they’re getting closer and closer,” Neville told Sky Sports.

“Today felt like a monumental, defining moment in this journey that Arsenal are on, of trying to get to a league title.

“Two seasons ago they quite simply fell apart in the last 10 games, last season they went so close, and then you think, right, okay, they’re learning, they’re maturing.

“You just think, where will we be in April and May with this game?

“Will we be going back to that final minute, and what happened with the John Stones goal, will we be thinking that City win the title by one point, and that moment determines it?

“It’s ridiculous, because there will be dropped points, and there will be mistakes, and there will be lots of victories before the end of the season, but it is that type of situation when you’re up against Pep Guardiola, he makes you feel that way.”

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