In a back-and-forth encounter at the Emirates on Sunday, Mohamad Salah’s late goal ensured that the spoils were shared with a 2-2 draw between the two title contenders.
While both teams may be happy with a point, the draw leaves a new name at the top of the table after City’s 1-0 win over Southampton on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s side are chasing a record-extending fifth straight league title and, while it is still early days, Neville believes they are now in a commanding position.
‘Manchester City will drop points as well at some point in the season and they’ll have difficult weekends but this is a good one for them,’ he said on the Gary Neville podcast. ‘It’s the result they would have wanted.’
‘City at this moment in time are clear favourites – they’re ahead in the league where they would want to be but there is a long way to go.
‘I think this season has got something left in it and Pep and City will think that as well but it’s a good weekend for them.’
Despite Arsenal having their mentality called into question by Roy Keane, Neville argued that the Gunners can take pride in being just five points off City despite not hitting their stride so far this season.
‘These two managers that left here tonight will also feel like they’ve got very strong squads,’ the former Manchester United full-back added.
‘They can be proud of their starts to the seasons in the sense of where they are and close to City and just hang in there, stay on the shoulder.
‘Arsenal last year there was an expectation towards the end that they couldn’t get over the line.
‘It might be that this time if they are going to do it that they might have to come from behind a little bit and their form will come later in the season.
‘Arsenal haven’t started as perfectly in terms of form, as you would like they’re not playing anywhere near their best but that’s not a bad thing.
‘I used to worry about teams that started off like a house on fire. You rarely did that, you want to be hitting your full pace coming into February, March or Arpil – that’s where you really want to be strong.’
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