Gary Neville, a Manchester United legend and football pundit, recently highlighted three crucial Arsenal players that must stay fit for Mikel Arteta’s team to have a shot at winning the Premier League this season. Despite Gabriel Martinelli’s match-winning performance against Manchester City, Neville emphasized the significance of Declan Rice, William Saliba, and Gabriel as pivotal to the Gunners’ title ambitions.
Gabriel, the Brazilian defender, initially started the season on the sidelines but has been an integral part of the team’s recent success, featuring in the last five league games. Neville stressed the importance of defensive stability and underlined the role of Rice, a summer signing from West Ham, and the solid center-back pairing of Saliba and Gabriel in Arsenal’s title pursuit.
Neville’s analysis underscores that the defensive backbone, including the two center-backs and Rice, is critical for Arsenal’s title aspirations. He believes they won’t clinch the league without a strong defensive foundation. Despite acknowledging the significance of Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, Neville emphasized the defensive-minded players’ pivotal role.
Saliba, who has been injury-free and hasn’t missed a minute, suffered a toe injury in a recent game. This injury raised concerns for Arsenal as Saliba had been a significant asset in the previous season. Neville also discussed goalkeeper David Raya’s performance, expressing initial concerns about Raya’s display but noting an improvement as the match progressed. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, praised Raya’s courage and dominance in controlling the game.
Overall, Neville’s assessment highlights the importance of defensive solidity and key defensive players like Rice, Saliba, and Gabriel in Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title. While attacking players like Martinelli and Saka are vital, a robust defensive foundation is considered essential for sustained success and a potential title triumph for the Gunners this season.