Gary Neville believes Arsenal are unlikely to let a long-awaited Premier League title opportunity slip, as Manchester City travel to Bournemouth on Tuesday needing a win to keep the race alive.
Arsenal beat Burnley 1-0 on Monday thanks to a Kai Havertz first-half strike, moving five points clear at the top with one game remaining. If City fail to win at the Vitality Stadium, the Gunners will be crowned champions before their final match at Crystal Palace.
Speaking from the Emirates on his podcast, Neville stressed how significant the moment is for Mikel Arteta and the club after several near-misses in recent seasons. He said the progress over the past five or six years has built momentum and expectation, and that winning the title now would be transformative for Arteta’s standing and Arsenal’s authority as a top team.
Neville praised Arsenal’s defensive discipline this season — their calmness protecting a narrow lead, the trust between goalkeeper, centre-backs and midfield shield — calling them a tough unit to break down. At the same time he warned that Arsenal often make things difficult for themselves by failing to turn 1-0 leads into more comfortable two-goal advantages, leaving the door open to late threats.
For City, Neville acknowledged the club’s decade of success under Pep Guardiola and said a Bournemouth win would be a huge response, especially after the recent cup final. Bournemouth are a difficult place to go: they have motivation, a strong home record, Andoni Iraola is managing his final home game, and they still have hopes of Champions League qualification — all factors that make Tuesday’s tie a big test for City.
Neville urged City to “keep Arsenal honest,” noting the history of late twists in the title race and how a single late goal or corner can change everything with fans on their feet. He suggested both teams could still win on the final weekend, but the decisive question is whether City can overcome Bournemouth to force that scenario.
In short, Neville feels the moment is in Arsenal’s hands and, given their trajectory and defensive resilience this season, he struggles to see how they would squander the chance to end a 22-year wait for the Premier League trophy.