Never really trusted Arsenal in top four race and I did fear for them, claims Gary Neville
Gary Neville
|Manchester United legend Gary Neville has admitted that he never trusted Arsenal to hold their place in the top four race and that he feared for them because of their problems. The pundit also added that Manchester United are out of the race and that Tottenham are favourites for the position now.
While Arsenal were favourites to finish in the final top four place a few weeks ago, the entire situation has changed as the Gunners have now lost three out of their last five games. That includes defeats to Brentford, Crystal Palace and Liverpool with there a genuine concern that the North London side won’t finish in a top four place. However, in light of that, Tottenham have taken full advantage of their rivals dropping points and have lost just once in their last six games.
That places Antonio Conte’s side in pole position and they have a three point lead over fifth place Arsenal but the race extends beyond the two North London rivals. West Ham, Manchester United and even Wolves are all part of the running but Gary Neville believes that Tottenham are the favourites to get the final Champions League spot now. The pundit also added that he never trusted Arsenal to keep their nerve and feared for them because they had yet to prove themselves as a contender.
"I never really trusted Arsenal and I did fear for them. It's three defeats in four now for Arsenal and I said a few weeks ago I didn't trust them fully. The reason behind that was because they needed to prove they could go through a run-in where they were favourites for top four. Those doubts are starting to come to the fore," Neville said, reported Sky Sports.
"I have to say, Tottenham are getting there through the fact they've had a bit of experience in four to five years of getting to the Champions League and basically through the woes of Arsenal and United.
"West Ham have lost this weekend as well [at Brentford] so in some ways it's over to you, Tottenham. They might as well take the Champions League place. Why not? We know they've got an exceptional front two which is now a front three with Kulusevski.
The former Manchester United defender also revealed that the Red Devils are out of the running in his opinion which has come as a shock for him especially after the international break. But Neville further added that the race now only depends on whether Arsenal can recover or whether Tottenham can keep winning games and increasing the gap.
"We know that, but there's still a lot to play for. I think United are done. If I thought the players had anything at all, they could still have a go as they've still got to play Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool but I think they're done. I thought they might have done it a few weeks ago.
"I never considered coming out of the international break they would be in as bad a place as they are so it's now about whether Arsenal can recover but I'm just not sure. I feel it's now Tottenham's for the taking,” he added.
