Published: 05:37 EDT, 21 October 2024 | Updated: 05:52 EDT, 21 October 2024
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Gary Neville has warned Arsenal against making excuses about unavailable players and stressed the Gunners must 'remain consistent and reliable' after tipping them to be the only team capable of stopping Man City from winning the title.
Arsenal slipped to their first defeat of the season with a shock 2-0 weekend loss against Bournemouth that was made worse after William Saliba was sent off when the game was goalless.
Saliba will only miss one match for his reckless challenge on Evanilson and will serve his suspension in a huge clash against Liverpool that could have a major bearing on the title race.
Mikel Arteta's side now sit third in the league standings and will be seven points adrift of Liverpool if they suffer another defeat at the Emirates on Sunday.
Injuries to key players such as Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard combined with three red cards have made Arsenal's bid to end Man City's title dominance an uphill battle, but Neville believes such problems are giving the Gunners excuses for poor performances.
Mikel Arteta was left looking for answers as Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season against Bournemouth
'No Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard or Jurrien Timber against Bournemouth? I get that but we're talking about playing Bournemouth, who are a good side, but they have a squad of 20 to deal with Champions League football and a couple of injuries,' Neville told Sky Sports.
'Arsenal without Saliba against Liverpool - they had the excuse a couple of seasons ago [when he was out injured in the run-in] and that was accepted, he was a big loss. But they've added players to the squad to be able to deal with that now.
'You can't be one player away, having a one-match ban, and the level go from here [high] to here [low]. You have to remain consistent and reliable if you get an injury.
'Next week we can't talk about 'so-and-so isn't playing'. There's been a lot of money, a lot of improvement. Now's the time to go and show it.
'They're still in with a big chance. It's very early in the season. Next Sunday is a big test for Liverpool and a big question for Arsenal without Saliba,' added Neville.
Arsenal's struggles have been Liverpool's gain as Arne Slot settles into Premier League life excellently with the Reds top of the table, four points clear of the Gunners and one point above Man City.
Centre-back William Saliba was sent off against Bournemouth and will miss the Liverpool game
Liverpool will head to the Emirates as slight underdogs, but are fully capable of causing an upset that could prove disastrous to Arsenal's title ambitions, with Neville previously tipping the Gunners to win the league this season.
However, despite their stunning start to life under Slot, Neville isn't convinced Liverpool can challenge for the title and suggested the Reds and Chelsea - who fell to a 2-1 defeat at Anfield on Sunday - aren't realistic champion prospects.
'Would these two teams [at Anfield] win the title? I don't think so. What Liverpool are doing defensively at the moment is interesting. I'd like to assess it at Christmas. I still think they're short,' said Neville.
'Chelsea are short, they're not going to win the league. I think Arsenal are the only team that can take on City. But you can't afford to fall too many points behind,' he added.