Gary Neville has delivered a stunning verdict on Arsenal's title credentials, suggesting Mikel Arteta's squad possesses the quality to conquer Europe within years following their emphatic North London derby victory.
Dominant Derby Display Extends Lead
The Gunners delivered a masterclass against rivals Tottenham Hotspur, securing a resounding 4-0 win at the Emirates Stadium. A magnificent hat-trick from Eberechi Eze, complemented by a first-half strike from Leandro Trossard, sealed a nightmare debut derby for new Spurs boss Thomas Frank.
This crucial victory extends Arsenal's advantage at the Premier League summit to six points over second-placed Chelsea, with Manchester City slipping to third after a recent stumble. The result also means Tottenham remain winless at the Emirates for over 15 years.
Neville's Verdict: A Squad Transformed
Providing commentary on the match, the Manchester United legend was thoroughly impressed by what he witnessed from Arteta's team. Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, he dismissed any pre-match concerns about squad depth, highlighting a significant shift in mentality.
"They've now got a squad that can cope without players being fit," Neville stated. "We've seen [Piero] Hincapié come in today, [Jhon] Mosquera has done it throughout the season... The drop-off between player number one in the team and player number two who comes in is small."
He emphasised that the days of Arsenal relying on excuses for injured key players are over, praising the team's newfound resilience and stability.
The One Irreplaceable Star
Despite his overwhelming praise for the squad's depth, Neville pinpointed one player whose absence would pose a serious problem: Declan Rice.
"The only player you'd be slightly worried about losing for a period of time is Declan Rice, because you can't replace that," Neville admitted. "That's your Roy Keane, that's your Rodri - that's the player that holds you together."
This single caveat underscores the England international's immense importance to the team's structure and success.
Champions League Glory on the Horizon
Looking beyond the domestic league, Neville made a bold prediction about Arsenal's European potential. With the club currently boasting a perfect record in the Champions League—four wins from four matches—the Sky Sports pundit can see them going all the way.
"It's not only a squad that should go on and win the Premier League... it's a squad that I can see winning the Champions League in the next two or three years," he declared.
He cautioned that the intense focus on a first Premier League title might impact their European campaign this season, but firmly believes the team's consistent high-level performances are building towards continental success, provided their key linchpin remains on the pitch.
