Gary Neville has disagreed with Alan Shearer over Arsenal’s game plan against Manchester City’s with Mikel Arteta’s tactics working to perfection in the goalless draw at the Etihad Stadium.
The Gunners secured a valuable point against Pep Guardiola’s side, meaning that in four games against both City and Liverpool, they have not lost any. Arsenal had a successful day defensively with William Saliba awarded man of the match.
But Arsenal’s defensive pair could have been awarded the prize with Gabriel Magalhaes also limiting Erling Haaland to very few opportunities.
Up front, Gabriel Jesus had two great chances but couldn’t capitalise from them, while Leandro Trossard saw his effort saved by Stefan Ortega, though a pass to Gabriel Martinelli might have been the smarter option.
Despite the result, Arsenal stay ahead of City in the title race and are just two points behind now leaders Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s side came back to defeat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 at Anfield.
“One man goes, [Gabriel] Jesus then [Kai] Havertz goes, [Martin] Odegaard, he runs 50 yards to make sure that he does his bit for the team. They then win the ball again and this is a good opportunity and perhaps it should be in the back of the net.
“They’re really maturing now, they’ve got the best defensive record in the league. Declan Rice has obviously added to that. They’ve got belief within themselves there’s no doubt about that and there are not going away, that’s for sure.
[At the end], I thought they had the best opportunity, it was in the 86th minute, they hit them well on the break and they worked it well.
“It’s the opportunity they worked for, defensively, they’ve had their set-up and then you’re just waiting for that opportunity.
When it came along, he just didn’t make the right decision, good ball in behind and that should come across there but his first touch actually really kills the momentum and then the chance has gone.”
Meanwhile, Neville was less than impressed with Arsenal’s performance, saying on commentary: “Arsenal are just sat back there; Arsenal are not really getting out, they’re not really pressing.”
