Thursday, June 4, 2026

The Sun Nigeria

Arsenal fans have every reason to feel frustrated – Gary Neville

Gary Neville

Gary Neville

Gary Neville has told Arsenal fans they have every reason to feel frustrated with their team’s repeated failure to close out the Premier League title race.

The Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United captain made the assessment in his latest analysis of the 2025/26 season, following Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Neville said, “I can’t believe earlier this season I thought the title was theirs.

“We’ve seen this pattern repeat itself time and again, it’s becoming all too familiar, and the fans have every reason to feel frustrated.”

Neville further argued that another season without silverware would raise serious questions over manager Mikel Arteta’s future.

“If Mikel Arteta falls short again and ends the season without a trophy, then he has to be sacked,” he added.

Arsenal had a comfortable nine-point cushion at the top of the league table just a few weeks ago, but unfavorable results in subsequent games have now made that a three-point difference, with Manchester City still having a game in hand over their title rivals.

Sunday’s loss to Pep Guardiola’s City has left the Gunners facing familiar pressure in the closing stages of the season, mirroring near-misses in previous years when they finished as runners-up without ending their long wait for a league title.

Neville, who has frequently analysed Arsenal’s campaigns on his podcast and Sky Sports platforms, has previously defended the club’s progress under Arteta while highlighting what he sees as recurring vulnerabilities under pressure.