Gary Neville has been slammed by fans after he criticised Arsenal players for 'throwing away' the title.
On Sunday, Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League took a huge knock as they were beaten at home by Brighton and Hove Albion.
As a result, Manchester City now only need two points from their remaining three matches to clinch their third consecutive title.
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Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, former Manchester United defender Neville outlined what he thinks went wrong for the Gunners in their bid for Premier League glory.
The former England international picked out a few of the senior players for not spreading composure across the dressing room.
Neville said: “I do think there is an element of throwing the title away in terms of dropping points. Look, in 2023 we don’t use the same emotive language. If this was the Kevin Keegan era this Arsenal team would be being criticised badly.
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“At high-performance level, you have to perform. The biggest moments, the most pressurised environments, you have to deliver in those moments.”
He continued: “The over-celebration against Villa, Zinchenko after Bournemouth, you want leaders in the team to spread composure and lift the anxiety.
“There’s an element of emotion, Xhaka at Anfield, Partey’s form dropping off, and from that it’s become tough for them mentally.
“We never had them in the top four. I said a few weeks ago that this has been an exceptional season for Arsenal. The problem for some people is it doesn’t look like a good season and they’ll find it difficult themselves but I think it’s been an outstanding season.”
Fans were quick to react to Neville’s words on social media.
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One said: “The more I hear @GNev2's commentary the more I think @Arsenal football club live in his head rent-free.”
Another tweeted: “An odd take at best, not allowed to celebrate wins now?”
A third fan added: “Easily the most biased pundit out there.”
Someone else wrote: “Gary Neville is critical of Arsenal, what a surprise, this has never happened before.”
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Do you agree with Neville? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Gary Neville, Sky Sports, Arsenal, Premier League, Fan Reactions, Football
Marcus Chan