Gary Neville claimed that Arsenal are the biggest club in London, despite the rise to fame of rivals Tottenham and Chelsea. This season we have seen our neighbours show immense consistency, building on their third place finish of last season, while Chelsea have returned to prominence with a run of form which looks likely to see them top the table.
Despite these impressions, the Manchester United legend claims Arsenal are a bigger side than the pair, but there are definitely plenty of reasons to argue against such claims. You would certainly need a hell of a lot of photo paper if you wanted to print out all the responses from the different sets of fans! Tottenham are believed to have a very strong starting line-up, whilst not being able to boast a particularly strong squad, while Chelsea seem to have been overlooked despite their title credentials.
The Blues have taken this season by the scruff of the neck, and many have insisted that it would not have been so easy if they had to play some form of European football. It seems an easy excuse, and as much as I wish those beliefs were true, meaning I could be excited with the possibility of finishing outside the top four (just this once), but that would just be too easy…
The former United and England defender has now insisted that we remain a bigger club than both sides, and that we should be the more attractive side to play for, but I’m not convinced that is the case anymore.
Gary said: ‘This is a better club than Chelsea,’ he told Sky Sports after the 2-2 draw with Manchester City.
‘Why wouldn’t players come and play here? Look at this stadium, it’s unbelievable.
‘Chelsea are a fantastic club but you’ve got to say, even Chelsea fans wouldn’t argue that Arsenal are a bigger club than them.
‘Arsenal are a bigger club than Chelsea. They are, it’s a fact,
‘That’s not a criticism of Chelsea. Chelsea are a club that’s really only grown in the last 10 or 15 years. They’ve done brilliantly well.
‘But they’re not as big a club as Arsenal.’
Alexis Sanchez’s recent claims pain me to hear, leading to reports he wishes to trade us in for a move to West London, but that is not the only reason to think we are beginning to trail in the transfer chases.
Our club has stated that they wouldn’t battle our rivals to land players, while we have seen players opt to leave to join bigger clubs, a decision not succumbed to by Chelsea players for a number of years.
If you was a professional, would you rather be a Gunner or a Blue? Who is the biggest club in London?
Pat J