Gary Neville has accused Arsenal fans of having ‘paranoia’ with some upset at his commentary on a game they had firm eyes on.
The Manchester United legend was covering Manchester City’s dramatic win over Liverpool in the Premier League earlier this month.
4
Despite conceding late on at Anfield to a stunning Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick, City turned it around to seal three points, keeping them in touch with Arsenal at the top of the table.
Bernardo Silva equalised after a clever knockdown from Erling Haaland.
And when Alisson gave away a penalty in stoppage time, it was the Norwegian who stepped up in front of away end to score the winner, sparking wild scenes.
It was a late goal in a huge game, so it is no wonder that Neville was excited.
But some Gunners fans felt as if the coverage from the Red Devils legend was biased towards City.
And on the latest edition of Stick To Football, Neville has defended the way he covered the contest.
He said: “You know something, paranoia is incredible.
“I think Arsenal will win it.
“Arsenal fans are p***** off with me because when City scored two in the last ten minutes at Anfield, they thought I was over-celebrating.
“The fact of the matter is that it was big.
“By the way, Arsenal wobbled like mad for a week or so afterwards, so it was big.”
4
4
Storm in a teacup
At the time of that win for Man City, it was huge in the context of the Premier League title race.
It looked even bigger last week, following Mikel Arteta’s side dropping points against Wolves before Pep Guardiola’s men saw off Newcastle United 2-1.
That reduced the gap at the top of the table to two points before the north London derby.
Arsenal then ran over Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 to re-extend their five-point lead, although the Gunners have played a game more than City.
And when asked if he’d rather the Gunners win the Premier League, he said: “100 per cent. Of course I would.”
4
Going to the wire
For the majority of the season, it had looked as if Arsenal were going to run away with the title.
But they’ve slipped up at the start of 2026, and Man City are back in the race.
The Citizens splashed the cash in January on Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo.
They have made a tangible difference, with City looking like an aggressive and more physical version of older Guardiola sides.
And if they pip Arsenal, Alex Crook believes Arteta should leave the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking on the talkSPORT Daily Podcast, he said: “If Arsenal don’t win the league, I think it will be an incredible failure and I think it’ll be on Mikel Arteta. I would go as far as to say he should offer to quit.
“If they blow the title again… I was watching the Wolves game and they weren’t even in the game, Arsenal were strolling around and keeping possession; it was a training match.
“But there lies the problem – if you’re champions elect and 1-0 up after four minutes against probably the worst team the Premier League has ever seen…you go for the jugular.
“You get the second goal and get the third goal, get the fourth goal. Goal difference could be vital in the title race.
“So, to not do that and go back to this safety-first football and put the handbrake on, alright, you do get the second goal, but you invite Wolves back into the game.
“He’s got players there who are more than capable of putting Wolves to the sword, but they’re not doing it.
“They’re trying to plod their way to the Championship…if they don’t win it… I think Arteta has got to walk away.”
