Everton's Phil Neville backs 'resilient' Arsenal's Barclays Premier League title bid

16 November 2010 13:37
Phil Neville is convinced that Arsenal are finally capable of fighting their corner after years of being 'beaten up' by their title rivals.[LNB]The Everton skipper shrugged aside any misgivings over his own side's shortcomings to marvel at Arsenal's steely resolve, as they closed in on faltering Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea with a 2-1 win at Goodison Park.[LNB]A veteran of many title showdowns with Arsenal in his Manchester United days, Neville detected signs that Wenger may at last have addressed the one glaring weakness that has held them back in more recent times.[LNB]Backing: Neville[LNB]A perceived soft centre has repeatedly undermined all their attacking flair and prevented them adding to their last Premier League crown in 2003-04, when the so-called Invincibles went through the season unbeaten.[LNB]But after seeing them stand up to the physical challenge at Goodison, Neville is convinced the days of Arsenal being bullied out of their stride are over.[LNB]'They seem a little more resilient now,' said the former England full-back. 'They' are always going to play fantastic football - that's never going to change - but, towards the end, they were getting men behind ball and getting challenges in.[LNB]'You always fancy yourself to rough them up. But we couldn't do it, and that's where they have improved. You could see the difference. We have always caused them problems with our energy before. They haven't been able to cope, but they did this time. They were deserved winners.[LNB]'They won't match the Arsenal team that had Patrick Vieira and Martin Keown in it, but they have developed with each year. They have added experience to their other qualities, and now maybe they're getting what it needs to win at places like Everton, Stoke and Bolton.[LNB]'The conditions are not always perfect, and they have been beaten up in the past, but not now. They have a great manager who knows these youngsters will realise their potential in years to come.[LNB]'They are gaining experience and beginning to appreciate it's not always about playing pretty football and trying to score the perfect goal. You can come away and win in a manner people aren't used to seeing from Arsenal, and it will count just as much. [LNB]Chelsea and Manchester United don't always win playing pretty football. You have to make sure you pick up points when you're not at your best, and Arsenal are learning that now.'[LNB]Neville was at a loss to explain how Everton failed to build on the momentum of a seven-game unbeaten run in the League.[LNB]'We were disappointed only to draw with Blackpool and Bolton,' he said. 'Those were games we should have won, but we probably were not ruthless enough. Maybe those disappointments carried into this game. We thought we were full of conficence, but we just didn't hit the heights we are capable of.'[LNB]Meanwhile, Arsenal's Samir Nasri has agreed with Neville's sentiments - and spoke of the 'excellent weekened' enjoyed by the second-placed Gunners. [LNB]'Chelsea and Liverpool lost, Manchester United and Manchester City drew. It was an excellent weekend for us,' said the 23-year-old Frenchman. [LNB] Contenders: Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri (right) celebrate victory at Goodison[LNB]'It leaves us in a good position, just behind Chelsea, which is quite exciting for us and the league as a whole.[LNB]'Having done so well, now we must look ahead to what will be a very difficult game on Saturday.[LNB]'We will have to fight hard to get the result but I feel our reputation is restored and we can do well.'[LNB] Moyes and Wenger still fear the sack, even after 23 yearsEverton 1 Arsenal 2: Sagna and Fabregas on target at Goodison ARSENAL FC

Source: Daily_Mail