Neville: Chelsea Lost Because Arsenal Were Too Strong, I Think They Will Finish at Least 3rd

Gary Neville believes that although Chelsea lost to Arsenal on Sunday, the Blues remain one of the most threatening teams in the Premier League this season.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Gary Neville said: “If you had said this to me a year ago, they were absolutely nothing. I couldn’t see where this plan was going.”

“Now I think they can finish second. Third is the lowest position I see for Chelsea.”

“Xabi Alonso said before the match that this plan is still in its early stages, and that is indeed the case. He is trying to build some experience through the spine of the team with Damian Martinez, Henderson, Lacroix and Welbeck. I think this is the right path; you need good and experienced players in your dressing room.”

“For me, over the past three, four or five years, I have not been as optimistic about Chelsea as I am now, because I feel they are moving in the right direction.”

“It is not perfect. Chelsea lost to Arsenal because Arsenal were too strong. I also would not expect Chelsea to beat Arsenal, but this was already the best performance I thought they could produce in this match. They can go home thinking, ‘We can gain confidence from this defeat.’ At the highest level, that does not sound quite right, but I think everyone understands what I mean.”

“You can sit here and say, ‘Either you win or there is nothing,’ but football is not like that. Only one team can win the league every year, and only one team can win the Champions League every year.”

“All of Europe's top clubs—France, Spain, Germany and Italy—want to win, so the key is making sure you see your club moving in the right direction.”

“I think those fans in the corners who travelled a long way from Stamford Bridge will appreciate what they are seeing now.”