Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Chelsea on matchday 28 restored their five-point lead over Man City. Both teams control their destiny in the title race, with a pivotal direct clash scheduled at the Etihad Stadium on 18/4. Currently, Arsenal have played one more match than Man City.

Neville praised Arsenal's consecutive London derby victories against Tottenham and Chelsea, which followed a 2-2 draw against bottom-placed Wolves. The former England defender believes that lessons from past title challenges will help Mikel Arteta's squad stay resilient in the final stages. "They possess quality, physical strength, and experience from missed opportunities over the past three years," Neville told Sky Sports. "Arsenal understands this will be a challenging journey. Fans face 10 weeks of tension, pain, and anxiety. However, they must embrace that feeling, as it is why they are fighting."

Jurrien Timber celebrates the decisive goal in Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Premier League matchday 28 at Emirates Stadium on 1/3. Photo: Arsenal FC

According to the former England international, Arsenal's biggest obstacle stems not only from Man City's strength—a team that has won multiple titles under manager Pep Guardiola—but also from internal dynamics within the locker room. "The question is who will reassure the entire team during tense moments," he added. "Man Utd once had many players with championship experience, and that made a difference. Despite that, I still believe Arsenal will succeed."

Neville identified Arsenal's greatest challenge in the final three months of the season as their demanding fixture schedule. Should they advance deep in all competitions, "the Gunners" could play up to 21 matches within 87 days. This includes the FA Cup, Champions League, and the League Cup final against Man City on 22/3.

Arteta bolstered squad depth with new signings like Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi, and Viktor Gyokeres in summer 2025. However, Neville believes that managing squad rotation and preventing injuries will be crucial to Arsenal's chances of ending their 22-year wait for a Premier League title.

"You cannot abandon the Champions League, nor can you take the League Cup final lightly," the 51-year-old former defender analyzed. "How Arteta rotates the squad, maintains fitness, and avoids injuries will be critical."

He also suggested that Arsenal might need to risk their FA Cup campaign to concentrate on more vital objectives. "The FA Cup is a competition that might have to be sacrificed if necessary," Neville concluded. "However, in the Premier League or Champions League, Arteta must field his strongest team."

Hong Duy (via Sky Sports)