Gary Neville makes surprise Premier League title prediction after his pre-season favourites Arsenal fall seven points off the lead and go winless in their last three games

Gary Neville is refusing to change his Premier League prediction after backing Arsenal to win the title, despite the Gunners’ recent struggles that has seen them extend their winless run to three games.

Mikel Arteta endured another miserable weekend as Newcastle earned a 1-0 victory over Arsenal to leave last season’s runners-up fifth in the league and  already seven points adrift of leaders Liverpool.

Neville had previously backed Arsenal to win the title after previously falling agonisingly short in the last two seasons behind Man City and the Man United legend is still confident the Gunners can end their 21-year wait.

Arsenal face a massive week as they travel to play Inter Milan in the Champions League before travelling to derby rivals Chelsea for a mouth-watering contest at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Injuries have played their part with captain Martin Odegaard remaining sidelined while Bukayo Saka and other first-team stars have encountered fitness problems since the start of the season.

Mikel Arteta is trying to find a solution to Arsenal’s difficult start to the Premier League season

Neville believes Arsenal can still become Premier League champions despite their recent struggles

However, Neville has doubled-down on his start of season prediction and backed the club’s current crop of players to go on and become ‘legends’. 

‘There is an element of them feeling sorry for themselves because they’ve got a few injuries – come on! You can win the league title, become Arsenal legends!,’ he told Sky Sports.

‘No one is interested in whether you’ve got a few injuries, those players will come back, don’t wait for them.

‘They’ve had some tough games, going to Newcastle is tough. But Arsenal at this moment, there are big questions being asked. But I don’t rule them out of winning the title – I’ve still got them winning the title. 

Bukayo Saka is one of Arsenal’s stars that have faced injury problems so far this season

League leaders Liverpool are already seven points clear of Arsenal after a stellar start to the season

‘This might be what they need. I might look stupid and people will play this back in months going, ‘What the hell were you talking about?’

‘I feel most connected to a title face and I think what does a team need. Man City aren’t quite right, Liverpool aren’t perfect and something you need this serious blip, it has been a poor start, but they could go on a run, get their players back and be very dangerous. Hit your form in March, April and May – that’s when you really want to be flying.’

Should Arsenal go on to win the league then they will have to do so in the absence of sporting director Edu who Mail Sport revealed is set to leave the club.

The Brazilian has shared an extremely close working relationship with Arteta where he has helped recruit several key players including Declan Rice and Odegaard with both influential in Arsenal’s title challenge.