Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville warned that Arsenal will have to be "wheelbarrowed" across the line to clinch the Premier League crown after their hard‑fought 1‑0 triumph over Newcastle on Saturday Night Football. The decisive strike came from Eberechi Eze, whose early brilliance secured three points and restored the Gunners to the top of the table, leaving them three points clear of Manchester City. The victory was especially important because Arsenal had stumbled in their previous league outing, losing to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
City had taken the lead of the table after beating Burnley on Wednesday, so the pressure was on the north London side to respond. Neville believes the upcoming quartet of league fixtures will test Arsenal’s resolve, as they chase their first domestic league title in 22 years.
He cautioned that a lack of experience at this stage could exacerbate the anxiety surrounding the squad. Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, he said: "You can feel the edginess. It's a crowd that hasn't seen this for a long time, and many of the players haven't either.
If they manage to get over the line, they're going to need a wheelbarrow. It won’t be a smooth sail – it will be a real struggle. They won’t suddenly hit a purple patch in the next few weeks." Neville was also blunt about Arsenal’s overall display, even though they emerged victorious.
"A lot of what they did in this game wasn’t great from a tactical standpoint," he observed. He praised the defensive side of the team, noting their compactness, work‑rate and disciplined shape. "They sprint back into position, defend well and stay organised – that’s something to be proud of and it can win you a title," he added.
However, he argued that the side needs more attacking freedom and certainty. "What you want is that expression, that liberty to go forward, to run at the opposition and to do things with confidence in the final third. That didn’t happen today," Neville said. He pointed out that the only goal came from a set‑piece, and that Arsenal struggled to create clear‑cut chances in open play.
"They recycle the ball around the edge of the box when they’re 2‑0 or 3‑0 up, trying to draw the opponent out, but they’re not doing it quickly enough. Instead they amble side‑to‑side, taking one touch after another, while Newcastle’s defenders simply stand there," he explained.
Eze’s winner was the product of a short‑corner routine. It was the third goal for Arsenal in a short span, and the crowd had groaned after the first two attempts.
Yet the Gunners’ plan paid off, with the winger’s powerful strike from range proving decisive. Remarkably, Arsenal have employed six short corners in their first 33 league games this season, and three of them came in the opening ten minutes against Newcastle – a third of their total short‑corner usage so far. Neville gave credit to the side for persisting with the short‑corner set‑piece, but warned that more goals are required to secure the title. "They deserve massive credit for the way they executed those set‑pieces.
Most teams, after two failed attempts, would revert to a traditional corner, but Arsenal stuck with the routine and it worked," he said. He highlighted the movement that created space for Kai Havertz and Eze, calling the finish "exceptional" and noting that Eze seemed to play with newfound confidence and swagger. While Arsenal’s defensive record is impressive, Neville stressed that Manchester City are currently in superior attacking form. "Arsenal can keep clean sheets, but to win the league they must also find the net regularly.
They need to win every remaining game and keep conceding few goals," he asserted. The title race is further complicated by Arsenal’s involvement in the Champions League semi‑finals, where they face Atletico Madrid in the first leg on Wednesday.
Neville dismissed the notion of prioritising one competition over the other. "There will be no prioritisation – they’re in the two biggest tournaments, so they have to aim for both," he said. He explained that the only way forward is to maintain momentum, continue winning, and preserve the defensive balance and set‑piece organisation that have served them well.
"They have to be freer in attack. If you look at a half‑full glass, you can imagine them lifting both the Champions League and the Premier League trophies," Neville mused. Nevertheless, he sensed that the squad is currently more focused on the league.
"I think they’re thinking ‘we have to win the league’. I don’t think they’re thinking ‘we have to win the Champions League’ yet," he noted. He warned that many of the players lack experience in winning Europe, but their proximity to the title race will make them desperate not to fall short. Neville concluded that manager Mikel Arteta must treat every match with equal importance, even if the Premier League appears more attainable at the moment.
"The Champions League is a cup competition with stronger opponents, while the league has only a handful of games left. It might be easier to win the league, but I don’t see Arsenal getting past Atletico or the other semi‑finalists," he said.
In summary, Neville believes Arsenal have the defensive foundation and set‑piece ingenuity to challenge for honours, but they will need to add a greater degree of attacking fluency and goal‑scoring firepower. Without those elements, the Gunners may indeed have to be "wheelbarrowed" across the finish line rather than gliding over it, as they strive for a historic double of league and European triumph.