Patrice Evra explains why Gary Neville and Roy Keane are wrong about title race

Patrice Evra has explained why Gary Neville and Roy Keane are wrong about the Premier League title race after the Manchester United legends backed Manchester City to catch current leaders Arsenal.

Defending champions Man City find themselves five points behind Arsenal despite winning 14 of their 20 league games this season.

The Gunners, seeking a first league title since 2004, could extend their lead to eight points if they win their game in hand.

Despite Arsenal’s brilliant start to the season – they have 50 points at the halfway stage – both Neville and Keane expect Manchester City to defend the title.

Neville said last weekend: ‘I don’t see them [Arsenal] going on to win the league, I see Manchester City winning it because what they’ve got in them is a special run.

‘I think Arsenal will lose one or two matches and City will be right on their shoulders and it will become very difficult for them.’

Speaking after Arsenal’s thrilling Premier League victory over Manchester United, Neville added: ‘If I were to put money on it I would still think Man City.

‘But what we’ve seen of Arsenal today, seeing them live, the game today, the technical ability, the mentality today, it will take a lot to stop them and I wouldn’t be shocked if they do go on and win it.

‘I still maybe sway towards Manchester City, just because of what they’ve shown us over the last few years.’

But Evra, who won five Premier League titles at Old Trafford, disagrees with the fellow Manchester United legends and has backed Arsenal to end their long wait for a league title.

‘We keep saying Arsenal have proven themselves against Chelsea, against Tottenham and now against United, but everyone also keeps saying they’ve still got to face Man City,’ Evra told Betfair.

‘If I was an Arsenal player, I’d be fuming, I bet they can’t wait to play City. Even if City beat them in both matches in the Premier League, they still have a chance of winning the title if they are strong mentally.

‘I don’t agree with Roy Keane and Gary Neville, I don’t think City will win the league, I think Arsenal will win. The way they are playing consistently, I don’t see that with City.

‘I feel like Guardiola is still looking for something, that perfect combination. When you have a team like Arsenal, desperate to win the league, you can’t waste any time.

‘City are City and if I was Arsenal I’d prefer it if it was another team chasing them down. You have to respect City and be careful of them.’

Arsenal and yet to play Manchester City in the league this season but will meet their title rivals in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday night.

‘Psychologically, it will have a massive impact for whoever wins this match, but it doesn’t mean they will win the league,’ Evra added.

‘For Arsenal, they have to believe that nothing is going to stop them. If Arsenal win this game and their players don’t leave the Etihad thinking they’re going to win the league, then they will need to change jobs.

‘This is the last challenge for them. If they win then people will give them credit, and call them the real deal.

‘Arsenal won’t struggle right now, but in the last five games of the season. The heat isn’t on them now though, the heat will come in the last five games.

‘With United, when we were going to win the league and we had three games left, that pressure is like something I can’t describe, even though we didn’t have to win them all, we wanted to get it done as quickly as possible.

‘Arsenal play good football, but they will have to keep Haaland quiet. This is a tough one to predict.

‘I think we will see a beautiful game, I can see goals because both defences aren’t amazing. It’s the master vs the student and they know each other. I can see this being a draw.’

MORE : Moises Caicedo prepared to submit transfer request to secure Arsenal move

MORE : Erik ten Hag suggests Manchester United will reject loan offers for two starlets

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.