Patrice Evra is confident Arsenal can get the job done and claim Premier League glory - despite two fellow Old Trafford legends backing Manchester City to chase them down.
The Gunners put together a sensational first half of the season to establish a five-point lead at the top despite playing a game less than their rivals. They've only lost once whilst seeing off the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United.
Champions Manchester City are their closest rivals, but Pep Guardiola's side have gone in and out of form this term. They're targeting a hat-trick of league titles, with Gary Neville and Roy Keane expecting them to eventually put together a winning run that will pay dividends.
Neville said recently: "I don’t see them [Arsenal] going on to win the league, I see Manchester City winning it because what they’ve got in them is a special run. I think Arsenal will lose one or two matches and City will be right on their shoulders and it will become very difficult for them."
Speaking after the Gunners defeated Manchester United last Sunday, Keane added: "What we’ve seen of Arsenal today, seeing them live, the game today, the technical ability, the mentality today, it will take a lot to stop them and I wouldn’t be shocked if they do go on and win it. I still maybe sway towards Manchester City, just because of what they’ve shown us over the last few years."
In contrast, Evra admits he would be growing tired of such comments if he were an Arsenal player given how they've beaten all of their closest competitors. Much has been made of the fact they've not yet played the defending champions, but the Frenchman has backed them to finish the job.
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"We keep saying Arsenal have proven themselves against Chelsea, against Tottenham and now against United, but everyone also keeps saying they’ve still got to face Man City," he told Betfair. "If I was an Arsenal player, I’d be fuming, I bet they can’t wait to play City. Even if City beat them in both matches in the Premier League, they still have a chance of winning the title if they are strong mentally.
"I don’t agree with Roy Keane and Gary Neville, I don’t think City will win the league, I think Arsenal will win. The way they are playing consistently, I don’t see that with City. I feel like Guardiola is still looking for something, that perfect combination. When you have a team like Arsenal, desperate to win the league, you can’t waste any time."
