Everton captain says Arsenal have toughened up
Everton captain Phil Neville says that Arsenal may finally be ready to make a challenge for the English Premier League title.
Neville's side played the Gunners at Goodison Park on Sunday 14 November in a match which ended 2-1 in favour of the visitors.
Goals by Bacary Sagna and captain Cesc Fabregas were enough to secure the points for the London-based club, with Tim Cahill's late strike proving to be little more than a consolation .
However, Neville believes that the points were decided in Arsenal's favour due to Everton's inability to unsettle their opponents.
He told reporters, "We have caused them problems before with our energy and they've not been able to cope, but this time they were deserved winners. They seem a little more resilient now. They're always going to play fantastic football, that's never going to
change, but at the end they were getting men behind the ball. There is maybe still a bit to go before they have a real title-winning team, because you always fancy yourself to rough them up. But we couldn't do it and that is where they have improved."
Arsenal have not won a trophy in any of the last five seasons, but Neville believes that Arsene Wenger's young side have developed their physical and mental toughness enough to be able to carve out important results in their quest for silverware even when they
are not playing well.
He added, "(Arsenal's players) are getting that experience to maybe not always play pretty football and score the perfect goal, but to come away and win in the way people aren't used to. Chelsea and Manchester United don't always win playing pretty football.
You have to do it when you're not playing well, and Arsenal are learning that now."
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