William Saliba's goal against Manchester United didn't sit well with Gary Neville
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville slammed the team's "s***" defending for Arsenal's second goal against them on Wednesday.
Neville and his fellow regulars on The Overlap did a watchalong for United's trip to the Emirates Stadium - as well as the rest of Wednesday night's Premier League action. He was joined by Roy Keane, Jamie Carragher and Ian Wright, as Ruben Amorim looked to continue his fast start since taking over from Erik ten Hag.
After a goalless first half, Arsenal took control in the second period. Jurrien Timber put the hosts in front when he got his head to a Declan Rice corner, and another set piece brought the Gunners' second as William Saliba got on the scoresheet as he turned home a Thomas Partey header.
Arsenal have been set piece kings in the Premier League in each of the last two seasons, whether that's from Rice's right-footed deliveries or Bukayo Saka's balls in with his left. Neville was clearly left frustrated by United's contribution, though he later gave credit to the Gunners as well.
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"That's a looped corner, that. That's s***, that," Neville said after watching Wright celebrate the goal. "I've got some sympathy on the whipped ones, I've not got any sympathy on that one."
After pausing to gather his thoughts as the rest of the panel reacted, Neville chimed in once more. "I'll tell you what, I'll give some credit where credit's due," he began, addressing former Arsenal striker Wright.
"He's whipped everyone into the near post, so all the United players are in at the near post, and two of the Arsenal players are hung out at the back against Mazraoui and he's [Partey] literally got a free header. You've played them."
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Mikel Arteta was pleased with Arsenal's victory ( Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Later on the broadcast, Neville spoke of his admiration for Arsenal's set-piece strength, an area where they are comfortably clear of Wednesday's opposition. It had been on show in the previous match, with Gabriel heading home the Gunners' opener from a corner at West Ham, and manager Mikel Arteta was pleased with how his team took advantage.
"It was one of the best [set-piece performances]," Arteta told Match of the Day after his team's latest win. "We could've scored more and I'm very pleased with that.
"The team has to have the capacity to score from many different situations and we could've scored in open play, but today we scored from set pieces. We have to do our best to continue to play at this level we're playing at and continue to win matches."
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