Neville: City, Liverpool 'nowhere near' it. Arsenal's title to lose.

Neville didn't just pull that out of thin air, mind you. He's looking at how these 'contenders' actually started. City, for instance, had to *scrape* past Bournemouth, a measly 2-1 win thanks to a late Josko Gvardiol goal. Hardly inspiring.

Liverpool? They had to *salvage* a 2-2 draw at Newcastle, looking absolutely rattled after being pressed late. Pathetic, some might say. Then you've got Arsenal. They went out and *dismantled* Coventry, a comfortable 3-0. No drama. No late heroics needed. Just a professional, utterly dominant display.

Neville, sounding off on The Gary Neville Podcast (Sky Sports, obviously), laid it bare. These two giants? They're miles off their old selves. Remember when City were racking up 100-point seasons, winning trebles? Or Liverpool, grabbing title after title under previous regimes?

"They're nowhere near that standard," he flatly stated about Andoni Iraola's current Liverpool setup. That's a damning indictment.

City's got its own problems, too. Losing Rodri is a colossal blow, especially with life after Guardiola looming. The cracks are showing. Neville figures both clubs probably took their opening results—a point here, a narrow win there—but anyone watching could see the gaping holes. Performances like those don't win leagues.

Arsenal's convincing opener? That's what sealed it for Neville. He's more convinced by one game than he has been in ages. And if you think he's stopped there, think again. He's already got Chelsea pegged for second place. Unless, of course, they manage to flop spectacularly at Fulham on Monday Night Football. That's when he and Jamie Carragher will finally drop their full season predictions. Can't wait for that.