Gary Neville has explained why any potential January transfer business could “risk” harmony at Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The Gunners have made an amazing start to the Premier League season, winning 12 of their 14 matches with Mikel Arteta’s men sitting top of the table heading into the World Cup break.
Arsenal are five points clear of nearest rivals Manchester City after the Gunners took advantage of the Citizens’ 2-1 defeat against Brentford by beating Wolves 2-0 on Saturday evening.
There have been a number of rumours that Arsenal will look to strengthen a couple of positions in their squad during the January transfer window.
Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans, who is out of contract at the end of the season, continues to be linked with a move, while Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk and Palmeiras midfielder Danilo are other targets.
But Neville reckons new signings, especially ones to go straight into the starting XI at Arsenal, could upset the status quo at the Emirates Stadium.
Neville told Sky Sports’ Gary Neville podcast: “You ask the question now: would Arsenal strengthen in January? What risk does that bring? Do you strengthen to boost the squad or do you strengthen to actually boost the first XI?
“If you strengthen to boost the first XI do you upset one of the players or two of the players that are in there?
“And that’s the sort of conundrum that will be going through the Arsenal board’s mind at this moment in time.
“Because I’m not quite sure any of the other clubs will do that. I’m not sure City will do business to be honest with you, I’m not sure any of the other clubs at the top will do business. There is a sense that Arsenal may do in midfield.”
Despite their five-point advantage over defending champions Manchester City, Neville still has major doubts that Arsenal can win the title.
Neville added: “I don’t think they’ll win the title, I think City will. I do think they will get into the top four. But I do think it will be interesting, come sort of February and March, where they end up.
“Because I still think there will be an element of them still having to prove themselves. I’ll say it time and time again until they show me different.
“But what they’re demonstrating to me at this moment in time is that they’re the best team in the league, the most consistent team in the league.
“And from where they were at the end of last season, well done to Mikel Arteta. It’s a brilliant job that they’ve done. The recruitment has been fantastic.
“Well done to the club for holding their nerve through a difficult moment where they could have easily put more pressure on Mikel, other managers may have lost their job, he’s been there for three years.
“They held their nerve on recruitment, held their nerve with the manager, they’ve got the right players in and all of a sudden it just looks like it’s knitted together.”
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