I tipped Arsenal to win the Premier League - but I've spotted Man City do something they can't

Gary Neville believes Manchester City's resilience means Arsenal cannot use injuries and suspensions as an excuse in this season's Premier League title race.

City struck in the dying seconds to claim a 2-1 at Wolves on Sunday which propelled them three points clear of the Gunners in the early table after Mikel Arteta's men lost 2-0 to Bournemouth on Saturday night. Arsenal were hampered by the first half dismissal of William Saliba as they were reduced to 10 men for the third time in the opening eight league games.

On each occasion - against Brighton, City and now Bournemouth - Arsenal have dropped points while winning the other five matches where they have kept 11 men on the field. The Gunners were also without injured duo Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard on the south coast but in the face of City's ability to claw out results without key personnel and in challenging circumstances, Neville believes the time for Arsenal excuses is over.

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City are currently without Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne through injury while last season Erling Haaland was absent for a lengthy period but the Blues still held off the Gunners' challenge to win the title. And with the two set to do battle again this term Neville, who tipped Arsenal to beat City to the title on Monday Night Football at the start of the season, feels Arteta must find ways to cope with bumps in the road.

"Arsenal without Saliba against Liverpool - they had the excuse a couple of seasons ago (when he was out injured in the run-in) and that was accepted, he was a big loss. But they've added players to the squad to be able to deal with that now," said Neville, speaking to Sky Sports.

"You can't be one player away, having a one-match ban, and the level goes from here [high] to here [low]. You have to remain consistent and reliable if you get an injury.

"We've seen City without Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne and they still get by. I know they're a machine but I have a lot of confidence in Arsenal and love for the way they've developed.

"Next week we can't talk about 'so-and-so isn't playing'. There's been a lot of money, a lot of improvement. Now's the time to go and show it.

"They're still in with a big chance. It's very early in the season. Next Sunday is a big test for Liverpool and a big question for Arsenal without Saliba.

"I think Arsenal are the only team that can take on City. But you can't afford to fall too many points behind."