"There is a long way to go" - Gary Neville names 'clear favorites' in PL title race after Arsenal's draw against Liverpool

Gary Neville has delivered a fresh verdict on the Premier League title race after Arsenal's draw against Liverpool at the weekend (October 27). The pundit has backed Manchester City to defend their crown this season.

The Gunners and the Merseysiders locked horns in a top-of-the-table clash at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. An entertaining 2-2 draw saw Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino take the lead on two occasions with goals in the first half. However, Virgil van Dijk's header in the first period and Mohamed Salah's second-half equalizer leveled the scoreline in similar fashion.

Manchester City leapfrogged Liverpool to the top of the league table after beating Southampton on Saturday. Pep Guardiola's side now sit a point ahead of the Merseysiders while Arsenal trail five points behind the league leaders in third.

Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Gary Neville named Manchester City as his clear favorites to win the league for a record-extending fifth consecutive season this term. He said (via Metro):

"Manchester City will drop points as well at some point in the season and they’ll have difficult weekends but this is a good one for them. It’s the result they would have wanted."

"City at this moment in time are clear favorites – they’re ahead in the league where they would want to be but there is a long way to go. I think this season has got something left in it and Pep and City will think that as well but it’s a good weekend for them."

Arsenal play Championship side Preston and Liverpool face Brighton & Hove Albion while Manchester City take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday (October 30).

Gary Neville explains how Arsenal can beat Liverpool and Man City in PL title race

Gary Neville believes Arsenal can still recover from their unfavorable start to the season and beat Liverpool and Manchester City in the title race this term.

The Gunners have dropped points in draws against City, Brighton, Liverpool, and a 2-0 loss to Bournemouth this campaign. Mikel Arteta's side currently occupy the lowest position in the title race with their five-point gap to the Cityzens.

While picking Manchester City as his favorites, Neville still feels the Gunners can climb back up the table provided they show their best form as the season progresses. The pundit said (per the aforementioned outlet's report):

"Arsenal last year there was an expectation towards the end that they couldn’t get over the line. It might be that this time if they are going to do it, they might have to come from behind a little bit and their form will come later in the season."

The Gunners will return to Premier League action when they travel to St. James' Park on Saturday (November 2).