Gary Neville believes Arsenal 'deserves' to win this season's Premier League ahead of their clash with Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium
15:34, 25 Jan 2026
Gary Neville speaks ahead of Arsenal vs Manchester United
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Gary Neville speaks ahead of Arsenal vs Manchester United(Image: Sky Sports)
Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes Arsenal 'deserves' to win Premier League titles based on their recent record, and ahead of Sunday's clash between the two clubs explained why the Gunners are in prime position to break their duck this season.
The English top-flight title has not been brought back to north London since 2004's Invincibles-winning year - an era when more often than not, Arsene Wenger's Arsenal were duking it out with Sir Alex Ferguson's United for the grand prize.
The landscape of English football has changed drastically since then. In the present day, the Gunners have established a healthy advantage atop the Premier League table, United have been left to scrap for a top-four place, and they are without a title themselves since 2013.
Both sides meet on Sunday afternoon at the Emirates Stadium where Neville - who captained United through numerous battles with Arsenal - has made current title claim which won't impress supporters of his former club.
"They'll be really focused ahead of today because they'll realise it's a big game, you know, Arsenal vs Man United is a massive game historically but also it feels like it right now," he told Sky Sports previewing the clash.
"United, a little bit more buoyant, Arsenal having to prove they can put a Premier League title on that rim there, the one we see go around that top tier [of the Emirates Stadium].
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"I've been coming here a number of years now and they've never won a Premier League title in this ground, and this club deserves Premier League titles."
It marks a strong contrast to the years United dominated English football under Ferguson. The only difference is Arteta has been prevented from accumulating title wins over recent seasons due to Liverpool and Manchester City.
The Gunners have settled for the runners-up spot in each of the last three seasons, which were twice won by Pep Guardiola's team and once by Arne Slot's.
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Considering Arsenal's points advantage as the current league leaders, Neville added: "To say they're close, I don't think is wrong. They're closer than they've ever been - not just in terms of where they are now but the other teams are struggling with their form, and Arsenal aren't.
"They're a step ahead so this is a massive opportunity for them. I've said it in the last few weeks, it's not applying pressure to Mikel Arteta and his men, no excuses now.
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"You've had your run-ins, and you just don't go and win a league first up. It's not easy to win a league and it won't be easy for them this year but they've got the armoury, they've got the squad, they've got everything they need to win this league.
"They look like a title-winning team."