Gary Neville has stated that he does ‘worry’ for Arsenal ahead of the new Premier League season because of the lack of experience in their squad and off the pitch, as he told the Overlap.
The new Premier League season is around the corner and Gary Neville has ‘concern’ over Arsenal securing Champions League football under Mikel Arteta.
Tottenham Hotspur pipped their north London rivals to that spot by one point last season and now they will go at it again in 2022/23 – Will it go down to the final day of the season again?
There will be the small matter of a World Cup pausing matters in November, and that might have a huge bearing on how the tide changes in races at the top and bottom of the table across Europe.
Either way, Arsenal’s aim is securing a top-four finish and Neville is once again questioning whether they can do it.
“I worry about the experience and a young manager,” said Neville. “To be fair, it’s not unfounded, the evidence is there starring us in the face.
“Last season, Arsenal should have finished in the top four, but in the end, the experience of Conte and the experience of the Spurs players, that game at the Tottenham stadium, it was alarming how naive Arsenal were and short they were.
“My concern is, and I know Manchester United and Chelsea are struggling a little bit in terms of where they are, and they might both blow up, but they would have to for Arsenal to get into the top four.
“The experience is still not there, both on the pitch and off the pitch. On the pitch, who in that team is going to (drag them over the line)?”
IS GARY RIGHT TO ‘WORRY’ ABOUT ARSENAL?
The former Manchester United defender’s comments aren’t going to go down well with the Arsenal fans because they will be eager to prove that the club has improved.
Pre-season couldn’t have gone any better, in terms of preparation, winning games, scoring goals and the summer signings that have been added to the club.
The likes of Gabriel Jesus have thrived in Arsenal colours, so far, but all of that positive feel in pre-season will mean nothing if they can’t do the business against Crystal Palace on Friday night.
Last season, the Gunners were outclassed by Brentford when they opened the season for the 2021/22 campaign and if they repeat that again, then the reaction won’t be pretty.
Either way, whether it’s via winning the Europa League or securing a possible top-four finish, Champions League football has to be delivered by Arteta now.
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