Gary Neville drops one-word Premier League title prediction amid Arsenal and Tottenham advantage

Former Manchester United star Gary Neville has continued to back Arsenal to win the Premier League title this season. The Gunners have started the 2023/24 season in sizzling form and are one of only two teams to avoid defeat in the league.

Mikel Arteta's men have won six of their nine Premier League games to find themselves two points behind north London rivals Tottenham at the top. They also top their Champions League group at the midway stage following Tuesday's win over Sevilla.

The Gunners' 1-0 win over Manchester City before the international break was a huge boost and Saturday's comeback against Chelsea to rescue a point demonstrated their ability to overcome any hurdles, something they struggled with last season.

Tottenham's emphatic start to life under Ange Postecoglou means there are three teams competing at the top, yet many have predicted Arsenal and Man City to go the distance once again.

Pep Guardiola's men are currently without Kevin De Bruyne and it's expected that they will rediscover their form once the Belgian arrives. However, Neville remains confident that Arsenal will end their 20-year wait for a league title.

Asked on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday morning during a Q&A, Neville suggested the Gunners will win the Premier League after being asked about his title race thoughts. It isn't the first time the ex-United star has predicted glory for Arteta's side.

Following the 4-0 win at AFC Bournemouth, Neville explained why he has backed the north Londoners. He said on the Gary Neville Podcast: "I’ve got Arsenal to win the league this year. That post-treble feeling, what it would have taken out of those City players and staff would have been enormous.

"They could easily win the league this season and obviously it is just one game, but little results like that give the other teams encouragement. We know City have lost games in the past and gone on long winning runs so we can’t write them off but it will give a lot of encouragement to Arsenal.

"Against Newcastle, it was a serious team that Pep Guardiola took up there and at Wolves, they’re conceding a goal or two, they’re going behind in games and they look human. It will be interesting. If Arsenal keep their players fit, they’ve got a great chance this season.

"It was a good response from Arsenal [vs Bournemouth]. They’d have come out of the North London Derby disappointed. They’ll face those moments in the season, they’ll be confident that they are back in the title race. The gap isn’t going to four points or six, when you wonder if you will ever catch them.

"Stay with them and get to that point where there are nine or 10 games to go again. Arsenal won’t run away and win the league, your first title is very rarely like that, you have to get over the line crawling. Last season they fell apart late-on and made mistakes, but they have to get in that position again. Then we’ll see if they’ve matured. I think they will have.

"I just want them to have composure and be a bit more ruthless. Big tests are coming and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens, because it won’t all be about Manchester City this season."