1 hour ago 1

Gary Neville slams Mikel Arteta's Arsenal: 'Do they know how to win a league?'

Arsenal managed to secure a point against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, after super-sub Gabriel Martinelli scored the equalizer in stoppage time.

Arsenal failed to penetrate City's defense, with just three shots on target despite 67% of the match's possession.

Arsenal's substitutes have come up big on multiple occasions already this early in the season, and former Manchester United player Gary Neville ripped into Mikel Arteta's side, claiming they are a "one-trick pony."

What did Neville say about Arsenal's weekend performance?

Neville spoke on the tactical changes that Guardiola made to prevent Arsenal from getting set-piece opportunities.

The former player highlighted that without set-pieces, Arsenal looked unsure and non-threatening in their attack.

📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

Neville said, "I think the reason he [Guardiola] has done that is because he is recognising that Arsenal are a bit, you know, they're a one-trick pony.

"Set pieces are such a large percentage of their chances and goals that you end up in a situation where you just got to have big players in the box and a goalkeeper that punches.

In the 2024/25 season, Arsenal scored 21 set-piece goals (excluding penalties), with the Gunners already having four set-piece goals in the current Premier League season.

Neville also spoke on Arteta's team selection, saying, "My narrative with Arsenal was thinking, is he going to take the risk? And the team sheet comes through and I see that Trossard and Merino are on it.

"If you're making two substitutions at half time, it's not gone to plan and you know that the players you started with are not going to be able to win you the game in all circumstances, which is when they go a goal down."

Neville finished by questioning Arsenal's resolve to win the league. He said, "You can't wait to win a league. Arsenal are not creating enough chances in these types of games.

"I've predicted Arsenal will win the league... but does the manager and the players really believe, number one, that they can win the league? Do they know how to win a league?"