Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Gary Neville, Arsenal, Fan Reactions, Football
Nasir Jabbar
Arsenal fans want Gary Neville to be banned from commentating on their games following his comment about Max Dowman on his Premier League debut.
Dowman, 15, made his league debut for Arsenal in their 5-0 drubbing of Leeds United on Saturday.
He entered the fray just after the hour mark as part of a triple substitution.
And the teenage sensation impressed on the right wing as he showed off his dribbling prowess.
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In stoppage time, Dowman won his side a penalty after he was tripped by Anton Stach, who stood on his foot inside the box.
On commentary, Neville wasn't convinced it was a foul until he saw another angle of the incident.
The Sky Sports pundit swiftly changed his tune after seeing a replay of Stach's foul on Dowman.
Even though he corrected himself, Arsenal fans on social media hit out at the former Manchester United captain for his comment about Dowman.
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They felt like he insinuated that Dowman had dived to win the penalty.
Fans are convinced Neville, who was critical of Viktor Gyokeres before his goals, hates the Gunners and they want him banned from commentating on their games after his claim.
One X user wrote: "Gary Neville should never ever be able to comment on Arsenal games again man. 15 year old Dowman just got fouled in the penalty box and he’s there on Live Commentary calling him a diver."
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A second said: "Brother. This Dowman kid. Asking for the ball since he came on, finally gets it and gets a Penalty! Unreal talent. Plus Gary Neville gets his f**king mouth shut trying to say it wasn’t one. "
A third added: "Gary Neville should not be commentator on Arsenal games, he hates the club, even tried to sh*t on Dowman. The guy is a hypocrite. Can’t even hide his hatred."
Another commented: "Neville was desperate for Dowman to be diving there. That is embarrassing."
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At 15 years and 235 days, Dowman becomes the second youngest player to make his Premier League debut.
With the injury to Bukayo Saka, the youngster could get more game-time in the coming weeks.
Mikel Arteta was full of praise for Dowman following his exciting cameo against Leeds.
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"We have to gather all the information. It's how he reacts and deals with the situation. What his teammates think about him, which is clear, because they kept on passing him the ball. It is great to be able to change the energy in the stadium by bringing him in and he had an impact. He won a penalty on his debut at the Emirates, that's incredible," he told Sky Sports.
"It's credit first of all to his family, the way these kids have been raised and the environment created. They are not overwhelmed by the environment and context. And the work of the academy, for helping to raise these kids in that manner with the confidence and understanding of the game at just 15 years old."