"That’s harsh but the reality of elite sport" - Gary Neville sends brutal warning to Mike Arteta and Arsenal players ahead of Manchester City clash
Football pundit Gary Neville sent a warning to Mikel Arteta and Arsenal that they wouldn't be remembered as a great side if they did not win the Premier League this season. He believes the Gunners must win trophies to etch their names in history.
In his The Overlap newsletter, Neville noted that elite sports teams are not remembered if they do not get their hands on big trophies. He wrote (via GOAL):
"If this superb Arsenal team doesn't win the Premier League or the Champions League then they can forget about going down in history. That's harsh but the reality of elite sport. No one will fondly recall the magnificence of William Saliba and Gabriel at the back, the brilliance of Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, David Raya's extraordinary saves or the incision of Bukayo Saka up front. There will be no Netflix documentaries. They will never be feted or admired. They will be dismissed as nearly men."
"History is unforgiving of those who fall just short. And that's why, for all the excellent work they've done in the past two years, there is still a step to take. We're too early in the season to describe Sunday's clash with Manchester City at the Etihad as a title decider. Yet Arsenal need a statement win because they need to damage Manchester City and to demonstrate to themselves that they are the team of the moment," he added.
Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League in both of the last two seasons. The Gunners have won just the FA Cup after Mikel Arteta took over at the club.
Arsenal need to make just one change vs Manchester City, believes Gary Neville
Gary Neville believes Mikel Arteta should make just one change for their crucial clash vs Manchester City, picking Declan Rice in place of Jorginho.
He said on his podcast (via Football365):
“I think he [Rice] will come in just for Jorginho and then leave it as it is. I think Trossard did well in that role – the number 10 – so I don’t think he’ll change that. I think he’ll keep it simple. I don’t think Mikel Arteta is doing anything nowadays that is surprising us and I say that in a positive sense and a complimentary sense."
Manchester City have won all their matches this season so far, while the Gunners were held by Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates.