Gary Neville says he will wear an Arsenal shirt saying 'champions' if Mikel Arteta's side go on and lift the Premier League title.
With 13 games remaining of the 2022/23 campaign, the Gunners sit five point clear of second place Manchester City after an impressive season that has included just three defeats in 25 games.
But despite exceeding all expectations in recent months, former Manchester United defender Neville has maintained that reigning Premier League champions City will defend their crown.
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He recently said Arsenal will fall at the final hurdle on the most recent episode of The Overlap because "panic and anxiety" will kick in during the final stages of the campaign.
Neville was also asked why he’s still backing Pep Guardiola's side over Arsenal in the episode.
"That’s been my stance from day one with them not being there before," he said. "They’ve obviously, to be fair, struggled in the latter parts of seasons – last season was obviously the most recent.
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"And that’s why I do take the stance that I take, that Manchester City will win this league because when it gets to that last 10 games you do start to panic a bit.
"That anxiety kicks in and the pressure builds, you’re playing in the Europa League potentially as well and you’re travelling away from home on a Thursday and you’re coming back playing a league game on a Saturday and everyone is looking at you.
"I do think at that point Arsenal will wilt because they haven’t proven yet to anybody that they can go the distance.
"I didn’t think Leicester would stay the pace at all, I thought they’d just blow up in the last five games. Look, if Arsenal do it, it will be an unbelievable achievement but the reason I take my stance is just because I’ve been around the block."
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With all the talk surrounding Arsenal's chances in the title race, a Gunners fan proposed that Neville shave his head bald on the Emirates pitch if they lift the Premier League for the first time in 19 years.
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To his credit, the former England international responded, saying: "I will wear an Arsenal shirt saying champions for you my friend! But if you lose it you all grovel on here and say 'Sorry Gary'."
Here's how fans on social media reacted to the comments.
One said: "Tweet saved and it will be reminding you when Arsenal win the league," while another wrote: "Nahh Teta gotta put this on the screen to motivate the boys, we need to have this."
A third added: "Bookmarked."
Do you think Arsenal will go and win the title?
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Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy/TwitterTopics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Gary Neville, Manchester United, Premier League
