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| Gary Neville says Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side cannot play their way to the title |
GARY NEVILLE insists Arsenal’s “pure football” is not enough to win the Premier League.
The former Manchester United right-back, who won eight league titles with the Red Devils, says Arsenal lack the grit and determination to see out a title challenge.
"We cannot be blind to the hard facts of football over 30 or 40 years," he wrote for The Telegraph.
"Pure football has never prevailed, though I would be delighted to see it happen for [Mesut] Ozil, [Aaron] Ramsey, [Alexis] Sanchez, [Oliver] Giroud and Francis Coquelin, who together can summon a great deal of technical ability but not much pace, power, height or strength.
"Giroud cannot challenge the space behind defenders. Coquelin is the only one amongst those who has any true defensive intelligence.
Neville criticised Arsenal after their 0-0 draw with Liverpool on Monday night.
Wenger’s men have taken just four points from their first three games and Newcastle at St James’ Park in today’s early kick off (12.45pm).
"To see a team out-football everyone for a whole season, and never have to rely on grit or determination four or five times to keep them in contention, would be an amazing breakthrough," he added.
"Precedent suggests it will never happen. To win the league with the front six he played against Liverpool would require history to be redefined.
"In every one of the last 10 seasons Arsenal have finished either fourth or third. Those facts are pretty clear and suggest a lack of improvement.
"When I think of my own experiences of playing Arsenal I recall facing champion teams, champion players; teams you would be happy to draw against after a massive struggle. Arsenal exhausted you."
Arsenal last won the title in 2004 but over the past two seasons have lifted the FA Cup.
United, meanwhile, are yet to clinch a trophy since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
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