'Man City have been transformed by late £250m spending spree - but I still think Arsenal are better' | OneFootball

Gary Neville has delivered his verdict on Man City after victory in Manchester derby

Gary Neville says he has been impressed by Manchester City’s late transformation, but still believes Arsenal are the better team.

In a summer of major overhaul at the Etihad Stadium, Man City bid farewell to Rodri, John Stones, Nathan Ake, and Bernardo Silva - players synonymous with numerous previous Premier League title wins - while Tijjani Reijnders, Savinho and Nico Gonzalez also departed.

While City swooped for Elliot Anderson before the start of the season, they left it late to wrap up deals for Ayyoub Bouaddi, Iliman Ndiaye and Enzo Fernandez, with the latter duo completing their moves on transfer Deadline Day.

Ndiaye and Fernandez played a big role in Man City’s 1-0 win over Manchester United at the weekend and Neville admits there is a fresh look to Enzo Maresca’s side in comparison to the final days leading up to the summer transfer window closing.

That said, Neville is still of the opinion that Arsenal are still the team to beat in this season’s Premier League title race.

"There was a point probably two or three weeks before the end of the transfer window when City didn’t have in Bouaddi, Enzo Fernandez and Ndiaye that you thought they look well short, particularly in midfield," Neville told Sky Sports.

"They get those three in late on which is £250 million worth of business I think and it’s transformed the look of the team.

"And I think the big thing for City is it’s going to come down to the defence. It’s going to come down to Dias being fit. It’s going to come down to Gvardiol being fit.

"The experienced players back there and Guehi, obviously. If you can keep that back four and you’ve got Khusanov on the bench and Nico O’Reilly, it’s a youngish back four as with some younger defenders.

"If they don’t pick up injuries Manchester City they can give Arsenal a real run. I still think Arsenal are better, but City have improved enormously with the signings they made at the end of the window.

"That today was big for Maresca, to establish a big-game mentality."