Gary Neville: Arsenal Answered the Questions in Spurs Rout — But the Real Test Awaits at the Etihad.

Gary Neville:” Arsenal answered the questions that were beginning to swirl around them with a performance of authority and conviction in the North London derby, according to Gary Neville.

The 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur was emphatic on the surface, but the context made it even more significant. Just days earlier, Arsenal had surrendered a two-goal lead at Wolves, prompting fresh scrutiny over their mentality in the Premier League title race. Hours before kick-off in north London, Manchester City had beaten Newcastle United, trimming the gap and applying pressure once again.

It was the kind of weekend that can tilt a season.

Speaking after the game, Neville suggested this was not just about beating Tottenham. It was about how Arsenal responded to a sequence of challenges — psychological, tactical and emotional.

“It was really important what happened today,” he said. “There were big question marks at the start of the game and they handled it.”

Arsenal’s start was aggressive and controlled. They dominated the opening 20 minutes, pushed Spurs back and set the tempo. In high-stakes matches, especially away from home, the first phase often reveals a team’s emotional state. There was no sign of hesitation here. The early goal settled them and reinforced their authority.

Yet the afternoon was not without its tests. When Tottenham pulled a goal back, cutting the deficit and briefly stirring belief inside the stadium, it carried echoes of Molineux. Against Wolves, that shift in momentum had destabilised Arsenal. Here, the reaction was different.

Neville highlighted that moment as another question answered.

“They’ve had that little blip,” he noted. “So there’s another big question coming when they come out for the second half — and they’ve answered it.”

Instead of retreating into themselves, Arsenal regained control of midfield, tightened their defensive structure and then went further — scoring again to remove any lingering doubt. At 2-1, the contest still felt alive. The challenge was whether Arsenal would manage the game cautiously or finish it ruthlessly.

They chose the latter.

By extending their lead and eventually running out 4-1 winners, Arsenal did more than collect three points. They demonstrated a maturity that had been questioned days earlier. Neville pointed out that throughout the match there were multiple moments when pressure could have shifted — and each time Arsenal responded correctly.

“They’ve done everything right today,” he said.

But the wider title race narrative looms over everything. Neville also referenced the message sent by Manchester City’s celebrations after their win over Newcastle. With figures like Erling Haaland and manager Pep Guardiola visibly animated, he suggested there was an element of psychological signalling involved.

In a title race, nothing is accidental. Celebrations, interviews, even body language can transmit belief or vulnerability.

“City sent a message,” Neville argued. “They’re coming.”

For Arsenal, the challenge is not just to respond once — but to withstand that pressure for the remaining weeks of the campaign. With around ten games left, the margins grow thinner and the scrutiny sharper. Every dropped point becomes amplified.

Neville believes the defining moment may still lie ahead — at the Etihad Stadium in April.

“I’ve thought for a number of years that if Arsenal want the title, they’re going to have to go and win at City,” he said.

That fixture has previously proved decisive. In past campaigns, Arsenal have faltered there, allowing City to seize control of the narrative and the momentum. This season feels different — but the psychological weight of that match will be immense.

A victory in Manchester would not just yield points. It would shake City’s aura and cement Arsenal’s credentials. A defeat, on the other hand, could reopen old wounds.

For now, though, Arsenal have reasserted themselves. The win at Tottenham was timely and emphatic. It answered critics who questioned their resilience after Wolves and showed they could perform under direct pressure.

Neville summed up the situation with cautious optimism. He expects struggle. He expects tension. He does not expect a comfortable procession.

But he believes Arsenal might just get there.

“It’s going to be a battle,” he said. “They won’t get it handed to them. But I think they’ll crawl over the line.”

After the doubts of midweek, this was the response Arsenal needed. Whether it becomes a turning point in the title race will depend on what follows — especially when they travel to Manchester.

Source: Skysports.com

Gary Neville: Arsenal Answered the Questions in Spurs Rout But the Real Test Awaits at the Etihad

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