Gary Neville has identified four senior Arsenal players who he believes contributed to the team’s recent slump in performance.
Arsenals’ surging feat have dramatically slowed down in recent weeks, allowing Manchester City to wriggle their way back into the Premier League title race.
The Gunners appeared to have forfeited the EPL title to Guardiola’s City after building an unexpected charge toward the Premier League trophy from the first day of the season.
At Anfield, Mikel Arteta’s team lost after taking an early two-goal lead, dropping points for the first time in February and ending a run of seven straight Premier League triumphs.
The club’s lead at the top of the league was further eroded by consecutive draws against relegation-threatened West Ham and Southampton before Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to Manchester City allowed Pep Guardiola’s team to reclaim the top spot.
The former United right-back, Neville said in an interview that the team’s poor run of play at such a crucial time in the season is due to the shortcomings of senior talent and a lack of leadership.
Martin Odegaard’s leadership proficiency was questioned by Neville, who believes Arsenal’s senior players have contributed to their recent struggles.
Neville believes that the Gunners’ skipper, along with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey, and Granit Xhaka, have failed to lift their less experienced teammates to stay in charge of the title race.
Martin Odegaard received a lot of praise following Arsenal’s long run at the top of the Premier League this season, but the skipper has caught some flack during the team’s run of four games without a win.
“I look at Martin Odegaard, fantastic professional. Oleksandr Zinchenko, great professional,” the ex-Manchester United full-back said on The Overlap podcast.
“But when you get to the highest pressurized moments in the biggest matches in the crux of the season, are they leaders then?
“Arsenal’s senior players, Partey, Zinchenko, Odegaard, in the most difficult period – when those younger players like [Bukayo] Saka and [Gabriel] Martinelli needed that guidance, Jesus needed telling to stop running around and just stand up front and be disciplined in how you play – they didn’t impact the rest of their teammates on the pitch, I don’t believe. They contributed to the difficulties they were having in the matches.”
Neville added: “Xhaka at Anfield, Partey’s performances in the last few games, I think Zinchenko gave a goal away in one game as well – the Liverpool game and maybe West Ham as well – and Odegaard had probably his most difficult game as well against Manchester City.”
On Tuesday, May 2nd, Arsenal will play FranK Lampard’s faltering Chelsea to keep up their title defense.
If Manchester City should defeat Fulham today, April 30, at Craven Cottage, they will go atop the Premier League table.
Who is Gary Neville
Gary Alexander Neville was born on the 18th of February 1975.
He is an English football pundit and former player.
He is also a co-owner of English Football League club Salford City.
Gary Neville’s age and height
Neville is 48-year-old and he’s 1.8 metre tall.
Gary Neville’s Career outside football
The former England star transitioned into punditry and worked as a commentator for Sky Sports after retiring from playing in 2011.
Later, in 2015, he became the head coach of Valencia.
Neville returned to his job as a commentator for Sky Sports later that year after being fired by Valencia in 2016.
From 2012 until 2016, he served as the England national team’s assistant manager.
One man club: Gary Neville
Neville was a right-back for Manchester United for his whole playing career as a professional footballer, making him a one-club guy.
He had been the club captain for five years and was the second-longest serving player at the time of his retirement in 2011 after longtime teammate Ryan Giggs.
In total, Neville had featured in 601 matches for Manchester United, scoring 7 goals with 47 assists.
His trophies
With a total of 20 trophies during his stint, including eight Premier League championships and two Champions League medals, Neville is one of the most accomplished footballers in both England and Europe.
International Career
Representing the Three Lions for more than ten years, Gary Neville was England’s first-choice right-back, playing for the country at three European Championships and two World Cups.
Neville made his international debut in 1995. With 85 appearances and no goal scored, he is England’s most-capped right-back.
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