‘One spot’ – Gary Neville makes Manchester City claim in Premier League top-four assessment

Gary Neville believes there is just one spot up for grabs in the Premier League top four this season with Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur tipped to occupy the top three.

Speaking on Friday Night Football on Sky Sports before Arsenal’s opening Premier League match of the season at Crystal Palace, the former Manchester United defender thinks the Gunners ‘have’ to finish in the top four this campaign.

The ex-England right-back thinks the fight for Champions League qualification will be between Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea this season.

Neville spoke of Arsenal’s poor form towards the end of last season costing them a spot in the top four: “I think they do (need to finish top four), last season losing those matches at the end I think they lost six out of the last 12, they folded. I was at the Tottenham match and they got toyed with by a really experienced manager and team.

“Tottenham have strengthened enormously, City and Liverpool have strengthened so you’re talking probably one spot that they’re fighting for. That’s not how it might turn out but that’s how I see it.

“They’re up against Chelsea and Manchester United, they’ve got to win that race against those two otherwise Mikel Arteta will be under pressure.

“The thing I still worry about with Arsenal is that there will be a pinch point in the season where they come under pressure, have they got the experience and the senior players to guide those young talented players through?”