Carragher and Neville agree on Arsenal prediction but differ over their biggest title rivals
Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have both backed Arsenal to retain the Premier League title, with the Sky Sports pundits believing the champions remain ahead of their main rivals.
The former Liverpool and Manchester United defenders made their 2026/27 predictions on Monday Night Football, and both selected Arsenal to finish top despite differing over the order immediately behind them.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta finally ended the club’s 22-year wait for the title last season and has strengthened a squad that has already begun the new campaign impressively.
The Gunners followed their commanding 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City with another 3-0 win against Coventry City in their Premier League opener.
Carragher admitted he had previously considered Manchester City as potential champions, but Rodri’s departure to Barcelona ultimately changed his assessment.
“If Rodri stayed I’d maybe make a case for them, but without Rodri, I just can’t see it,” Carragher said.
He nevertheless expects City to provide Arsenal’s closest challenge, placing Enzo Maresca’s side second, followed by Chelsea and Liverpool.
Neville was even more emphatic about Arsenal’s prospects, insisting there was currently clear daylight between Arteta’s team and their competitors.
“One hundred per cent Arsenal,” Neville said. “They’re way out in front.”
The former United captain believes Arsenal’s depth across defence, midfield and attack has made them particularly difficult to match, while he also named summer signing Bruno Guimaraes as his impact signing of the season.
Neville differs from Carragher over Arsenal’s nearest challengers, predicting Chelsea to finish second and Manchester City third.
Chelsea’s lack of European football was central to that assessment, with Neville arguing that fewer matches, less travelling and greater recovery time could allow Xabi Alonso’s side to accumulate a significant points total.
Carragher also acknowledged that advantage but still believes City are fundamentally the stronger team.
Neither pundit expects Liverpool to mount a serious title challenge, with Carragher placing his former club fourth and Neville choosing Manchester United for the final Champions League position.
Neville also believes Arteta’s status has changed significantly after delivering the championship, describing a manager who was previously regarded as an “apprentice” as now being the “master” among the Premier League’s emerging coaching group.
The predictions underline how expectations around Arsenal have shifted following last season’s breakthrough.
Winning the title removed the biggest question surrounding Arteta’s project, but retaining it would represent another significant step towards the sustained success he has repeatedly said Arsenal now want to build.
The post Carragher and Neville agree on Arsenal prediction but differ over their biggest title rivals first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.
