Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville believes Arsenal can win the Premier League this season—but only if manager Mikel Arteta becomes more adventurous with his tactics.
Neville questioned Arteta’s conservative approach in big games, pointing to last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City where the Spaniard benched Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Martinelli in favour of Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard.
Although Erling Haaland gave City an early lead, late substitutions saw Eze and Martinelli combine to rescue a point for the Gunners.
Speaking during an interview, Neville said:
“He could have been more attacking at Anfield and certainly against City from the start.
He’s going to regret this if he doesn’t start to take the handbrake off.
I think he picks the most defensive teams he possibly can at times in big games.”
Neville added that Arsenal’s dressing room may already sense Arteta’s overly cautious strategy, warning that the Gunners must “step up” if they are to challenge Liverpool, who currently lead the table by five points.
Arsenal face Newcastle United this weekend as they look to return to winning ways and reignite their title charge.
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