“Ineffective” Gary Neville blames two Arsenal 21-year-olds for bottling title

Arsenal have essentially bottled the Premier League title. As a fan of the club, I could quite easily sit here and say that top four was always the aim but that simply wasn’t true. Yes, it was true at the start of this season but throughout most of it, we as fans thought we could and would win the league title.

A loss against champions and title challengers Manchester City on Wednesday night is what all but confirmed that Arsenal wouldn’t win the Premier League title. It was a spineless performance from all of the players bar only a couple. However, Manchester United legend and famous Arsenal critic Gary Neville has named the two players who are most to blame.

Speaking to Overlap (via HITC), the former full-back turned pundit has singled out Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli for the being the most quiet and ineffective players on the pitch on Wednesday night.

In fairness to Neville, he’s not exactly wrong. However, his comments lack context. They were just two of a team of very bad or mediocre at best players on the night. They didn’t make the change, yes, but I couldn’t tell you a single player in red that did change that match for the better. Well, without Ramsdale, it would have been 8-1, but you get my drift.

The truth is, this Arsenal team is still young and have plenty of maturing to do. Therefore, Neville is right in his criticisms, however, he should take into account that Saka and Martinelli are still just 21 years old. If they can even compete with City for this long at that age (which, by the way, no United player could achieve), then imagine what they’ll be capable of next season.

For today’s Arsenal transfer news, click here.

Do you think that Gary Neville is fair in his criticism of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli?