Gary Neville has criticised senior Arsenal players such as Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus for their lack of leadership in Arsenal’s 3-3 draw with Southampton.
Despite coming close to a dramatic late comeback, Mikel Arteta’s side missed critical points in their Premier League title race.
Bottom-placed Southampton led 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium before Arsenal rallied for a point.
After Theo Walcott’s goal against his previous club put Southampton up 2-0, senior Gunners players formed a huddle in the middle of the pitch with the rest of their teammates.
However, Manchester United legend Neville believes the huddle was a ‘bluff’ and noted that the younger players in the team were more composed. Oleksandr Zinchenko was also a focus of Former defender’s criticism.
Gary Neville on Gabriel Jesus and Arsenal’s display against the Saints
The Englishman featured on Sky Sports as a co-commentator for the Premier League match between Arsenal and Southampton.
After the match Neville said: “For Arsenal the more experienced players needed to step up and be composed. In the last three games the more experienced ones haven’t. The younger ones have looked more assured.”
“Zinchenko, Jesus, Partey haven’t been right. They have five days to sort themselves out. The huddle last night a bluff!”
When asked about Jesus’ acting, Neville said: “We were listening to the VAR, we were watching the screens. It wasn’t for me. It was quite theatrical from Jesus. There is obviously a challenge, but he just throws himself.”
Arsenal are now only five points ahead of Manchester City, who has two games in hand and hosts Arsenal next week. The title fight is firmly in Pep Guardiola’s hands, but Arteta has advised his players to enjoy being at the top-end of the Premier League.
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