Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes Arsenal 'deserve' to win Premier League titles and are in prime position to break their duck this season ahead of Sunday's clash
Gary Neville speaks ahead of Arsenal vs Manchester United
Gary Neville speaks ahead of Arsenal vs Manchester United(Image: Sky Sports)
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Manchester United legend Gary Neville has suggested Arsenal 'deserve' to win the Premier League title based on their recent form, and ahead of Sunday's showdown between the two sides outlined why the Gunners are perfectly positioned to end their drought this campaign.
The English top-flight crown hasn't returned to north London since the Invincibles triumphed in 2004 - a period when Arsene Wenger's Arsenal regularly battled Sir Alex Ferguson's United for supremacy.
English football's hierarchy has transformed dramatically since those days. Currently, the Gunners have built a commanding lead at the summit of the Premier League table, whilst United find themselves fighting for Champions League qualification, and haven't lifted the trophy themselves since 2013.
The two teams collide on Sunday afternoon at the Emirates Stadium, where Neville - who skippered United through countless encounters with Arsenal - has delivered a title verdict unlikely to please his former club's faithful.
"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].
"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."
This represents a stark departure from the era when United ruled English football under Ferguson. The key distinction is that Arteta has been denied the chance to rack up championship victories in recent campaigns because of Liverpool and Manchester City.
The Gunners have had to settle for second place in each of the past three seasons, with Pep Guardiola's side claiming the trophy twice and Arne Slot's team winning it once.
Given Arsenal's points lead as the current table-toppers, Neville continued: "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.
"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."