The Premier League title race is heating up — and according to Gary Neville, it’s Arsenal who hold the advantage. Speaking after another dominant display from Mikel Arteta’s side, the former Manchester United captain declared that this season’s crown is “Arsenal’s to win.”
Neville believes Arsenal’s steady evolution under Arteta has reached the perfect balance between style and control. The Gunners may not be blowing teams away as often as before, but their defensive strength and consistency have made them the most complete side in England right now.
“They’re repeating the same high levels as last season,” Neville explained. “You don’t need 90 + points to win the title this year — high 80s will be enough. Arsenal look the most capable of getting there.”
The Rise of Arsenal’s Relentless Consistency
Arsenal’s current form reflects a team comfortable in its identity. With eight straight wins across all competitions and the Premier League’s best defensive record, they’ve shown that control, not chaos, wins titles.
Neville emphasised that the lack of a single “superstar goalscorer” isn’t holding Arsenal back — because their collective structure compensates for it. Every player understands their role, and the backline has developed into the most reliable unit in the league.
That leads directly to one player who’s catching everyone’s eye — Gabriel Magalhães.
Carragher’s Praise: “Gabriel Is the Most Influential Player in the League”
Jamie Carragher went even further than Neville, naming Arsenal’s Brazilian centre-back as the most influential player in the Premier League right now.
For Carragher, Gabriel’s presence defines Arsenal’s resilience. He’s a leader, a warrior, and a nightmare for opposition strikers and defenders alike.
“He’s a colossus at the back,” Carragher said on Sky Sports. “He dominates every set piece — both defensively and offensively. That type of player is what title-winning teams are built on.”
From aerial duels to last-ditch tackles, Gabriel has become Arsenal’s heartbeat. His communication and chemistry with William Saliba are the foundation of Arteta’s system — calm under pressure, yet ruthless in the box.
A Team Built to Last
Beyond individual brilliance, the pundits agree that Arsenal’s strength lies in collective maturity. Arteta’s team can grind out results, keep clean sheets, and manage difficult spells — the kind of traits that separate champions from contenders.
Neville noted that the team’s tactical discipline means they no longer rely on adrenaline or emotion to win. Instead, they’ve learned to control tempo, manage moments, and suffocate opponents with possession and positioning.
That evolution — from the free-flowing but fragile Arsenal of two years ago to today’s balanced, battle-hardened side — is why many believe the title may finally return to north London.
The Verdict
It’s still early, but both Neville and Carragher see signs that Arsenal have cracked the code. They’re no longer outsiders chasing City — they’re the benchmark.
Gabriel’s leadership, Arteta’s structure, and the squad’s unity have combined to make Arsenal look unstoppable. The message is clear: if Arsenal keep this level, it’s their title to lose.
And as Carragher summed up — “When you have a defender like Gabriel setting the tone, it’s hard to look past them.”
