Gary Neville has questioned whether Arsenal’s lack of title-winning experience could cost them during the Premier League run-in.
Arsenal extended their lead over Manchester City to five points after beating Chelsea 2-1 at the Emirates on Sunday.
The Gunners, who have played a game more than their nearest rivals, are bidding to end a 22-year title wait this season, after three consecutive campaigns as runners-up.
Neville has backed Arsenal to get over the line, though admits a lack of title know-how could be a problem for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the eight-time Premier League winner said: “I have to say that the first title I won was in 1995-96, and it was a challenging experience. Your legs start to get heavy towards the end, you start to read every headline. You can’t escape it, the noise is constant.
“I’m very lucky, and we were very lucky as young lads. We had very experienced players who had won two or three titles.
“The one worry, other than injuries, and the amount of games that they’ll play, is that they’re up against Pep Guardiola’s machine who have won titles and they (Arsenal) haven’t got that experience in the dressing room. Gabriel Jesus has won it but he doesn’t look like the type who will get the other players over the line on his own.
“So the one thing you would say is, who is the person in that dressing room that’s settling everybody down, that’s composing them?
“We had a lot of experienced winners when we were winning it for the first time and it is hard work. I do think they’ll get there, the experience of the last three or four years will just be enough for them.”
Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Pickford, Damsgaard, Iwobi
See more – Premier League Awards – Pickford’s super save, Sorry Spurs
