Lisandro Martinez scored an own goal during the first-half of Manchester United's Premier League match against Arsenal
Gary Neville has sent a message to Patrick Dorgu
Gary Neville has sent a message to Patrick Dorgu(Image: )
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Gary Neville has insisted that Patrick Dorgu and Lisandro Martinez should have done better to stop Arsenal's opener in Sunday's Premier League clash at the Emirates Stadium.
The league leaders took the lead in the first half when Martin Odegaard's cross towards goal was diverted into his own goal by Martinez. The defender was tussling with Jurrien Timber inside the box and was unable to prevent the ball from going past Senne Lammens.
Bukayo Saka had created the goal after bringing the ball down superbly inside the penalty area. His layoff to Odegaard was allowed too easily by Dorgu at the back post before the goal went in.
“The game was going nowhere, one happy manager and one unhappy manager, but you've got a ball where Arsenal have just put it in the box, they haven't done that much at all," Gary Neville said.
"Dorgu doesn’t deal with it very well at all; however, from that moment on, he [Odegaard] just puts it into an area, and he’s just too deep, Martinez, whether he’s getting pushed back or wrestled with… But once that happens, Timber with him, he has to try and step out, he has to try and clear that area.”
Bryan Mbeumo managed to equalise before the break, though, after a bad error from Martin Zubimendi. Neville wasted little time in slamming Arsenal's approach after going ahead.
He said: “Well you have to say Arsenal’s management and control of the game since going one up has been terrible! They’ve really gifted United two or three moments and that one is the biggest gift.”
At half-time, the Sky Sports panel discussed how the league leaders seemed to struggle against United. "It looked like the goal kind of set Arsenal back a little bit," Roy Keane said. "They definitely look tentative, they look nervous.
Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United scored an own goal while under pressure from Jurrien Timber of Arsenal(Image: )
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"It's a bit like the Liverpool game here a few weeks ago. The fans seem nervous, as if they're afraid to embrace the challenge. They're more concentrating on not losing the game."
He added: "A bit of calmness, a bit of composure. And United obviously have had a lot of encouragement.
"You can see it here again, Arsenal, just even trying to keep it at the back. They looked a bit nervous at the back. Lovely, lovely finish and United deserved that. There's definitely tension in the air and they're not dealing with it."
Speaking about his old club at the break, former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira said: "It feels tense. There's not enough risk. I want Arsenal to be braver."