Gary Neville and Paul Merson agree on 'problem' player for Arsenal who is costing them games

Gary Neville and Paul Merson have both called out the same Arsenal star following the club's disastrous 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Arsenal had the chance to cement themselves as the firm favourites for the Premier League title this season against Unai Emery's side.

Liverpool's loss to Crystal Palace earlier in the day essentially gave Mikel Arteta the chance to eliminate Jurgen Klopp from the title race with victory against Villa, but Arsenal ended up following in their rival's footsteps and dropping all three points.

Arsenal created the chances to win the game in the first half, but their performance in the second half was nothing short of embarrassing.

Arteta's men looked out of their depth and rarely pushed for the goal that could have been so valuable and eventually paid the price with quick-fire goals from Watkins and Bailey in the final ten minutes.

During the game on commentary, Gary Neville was quick to point the finger at one Arsenal player in particular for his lack of end product.

"He's been so scruffy in the final part of his game Gabriel Jesus, during the first half," Neville explained.

Jesus has just four goals and three assists in 22 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, not exactly the form of a league-winning attacker it must be said.

"He's still shaking his head and wondering how he didn’t make that pass. He hustles and harasses but his imperfection is the problem at the moment," Neville continued.

Gabriel Jesus- Getty

Paul Merson also singled out Jesus, but was far more critical of Arteta's decision to play him in the first place.

Speaking after the game on Sky Sports, Merson said: "I said before the game I didn't like Arteta's decision with the team he picked. Keep on playing the same team that wins every week, don't have the wool pulled over your eyes for a 25-minute cameo against Bayern Munich.

"Jesus comes on and does well and he moves Havertz. They've won nine of 10 with Jorginho and Havertz playing where they were. It was a bench today that if it wasn't going right, he didn't have anyone. Usually, you have Trossard and Jesus to come on," He continued.

Merson referenced Arsenal's collapse at the end of last season and argued Arteta might not be capable of getting a title over the line at the business end of the season.

"He did it against Southampton last season when he left Jorginho out last season. The pressure gets to everybody. That’s where you need a Pep Guardiola who keeps cool," The pundit explained.