Gary Neville has called it. Arsenal will win the Premier League title on Tuesday, May 19. No ifs. No buts. Just a cold, confident prediction from the Sky Sports pundit.
The Gunners took another giant step towards ending their 22 year wait for top flight glory on Sunday, grinding out a 1-0 win at West Ham. Leandro Trossard’s 83rd minute strike in a game absolutely littered with VAR controversy, moved Arsenal FIVE points clear at the summit.
Manchester City have a game in hand. But Neville isn’t buying the comeback.
‘City won’t do the job at Bournemouth’
The former Manchester United captain laid out his scenario on Sky Sports and it’s painfully simple.
“I think City beat Palace, I think Arsenal beat Burnley on the Monday and win it on May 19, the Tuesday night, by City not doing the job at Bournemouth,” Neville said.
“It can happen all sorts of different ways and Manchester City, to be fair, have got that ability to go right to the end but I think this is a hammer blow for City really.”
A hammer blow. Strong words.
The fixture pile up that could break City
Neville’s logic isn’t just wishful thinking. He’s looking at the calendar.
City have got Palace on Wednesday. Then the FA Cup final against Chelsea next Saturday, a domestic double still there for the taking. Then they’ve got to go to Bournemouth on the Tuesday.
That’s three massive games in quick succession. And Bournemouth? They’re no pushovers.
“I think that could just be maybe a step too far with how Bournemouth are right now and it being Iraola’s last game and just the fact they are a good side,” Neville added.
“I called this today, a dog of a game for Arsenal, and I think the game a week on Tuesday is a dog of a game for City and I think that is when it, in my mind if you are predicting it now, I think Arsenal win it without kicking a ball on that Tuesday night.”
Without kicking a ball. That’s the kicker.
What Arsenal still have to do
Before May 19, Arsenal have work to do.
Burnley at home. Then Crystal Palace. Two games. Six points available. Win both, and City can’t catch them regardless of what happens at Bournemouth.
But Neville reckons the title will be sealed on the Tuesday, with Arsenal watching from home as City slip up on the south coast.
The Champions League final awaits
After the league is done, Arsenal have a date in Budapest.
Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League final on May 30. The chance to become kings of Europe for the first time since… well, ever.
But first? The Premier League. The one that’s eluded them for more than two decades.
Neville has named the day. May 19. Now Arsenal have to make sure his prediction doesn’t come back to bite him.
