The North London Derby suffered a seven-minute lull of action due to technical issues on the officials' part, also kicking off for the second-half late for the same reason - and Gary Neville was fuming about the debacle
Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter
17:55, 22 Feb 2026Updated 18:04, 22 Feb 2026
Gary Neville looks on
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Gary Neville was unimpressed(Image: Getty Images)
Gary Neville lambasted technical issues during the North London Derby as play was postponed TWICE.
Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal managed just seven minutes of play before the action was brought to a lengthy halt through communication issues on the officials' part. During which, Neville lambasted the decision to half the clash as "ridiculous."
He was heard on Sky Sports commentary saying: "This is ridiculous, the whole game cannot stop just because of an IT issue - this is an absolute nonsense, one of the most important games of the season and the players all now have to reset.
"This is an absolute nonsense. One of the most important games of the season, fantastic start to it, really quick. And we're now two or three minutes stopped, players having to sort of re-warm up again, reset. Absolute shambles.
"They haven't got the common sense or the authority, leadership, to go, 'come on, let's read the room here.'
"There's 62,000 people in this stadium, there's millions watching at home and do they really think it's that important that they can't find some form of communication with the linesman over on the far side?
"Put your flag up if you're going to make a decision or you want to speak to him."
Play resumed seven minutes later, but Neville was incensed once more as the game was delayed further at the start of the second-half. Arsenal and Spurs players were spotted kicking the ball amongst themselves while waiting for Peter Bankes' nod of approval to resume, as kick-off was pushed back by a couple of minutes.
And once more speaking on a hot microphone, Neville said: "This is a disgrace by the way. Not the fact that the actual technology's broken down, that happens in all our houses all over the country every 10 minutes.
"However, the game has to carry on without technology. This is ridiculous. It just looks pathetic, doesn't it? It's embarrassing for everybody involved."
Arsenal will have felt monumental pressure headed into the derby, given a shock midweek draw with Wolves will have left them deflated. Manchester City, meanwhile, were able to slim the Gunners' lead at the top of the Premier League table to just two points courtesy of Saturday night's win over Newcastle United.
Spurs, meanwhile, were also under the cosh headed into an already tense fixture, given they sat 16th in the Premier League standings and just four points clear of the drop zone ahead of kick-off.
Eberechi Eze came back to haunt Spurs 32 minutes into the match to give the visitors the lead, before an almost instant response from Randal Kolo Muani levelled matters.
Spurs' need for a win was also just as high, with the North London side having been dragged into a battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Eberechi Eze had given Arsenal the lead with his fourth goal against Spurs this season, only for Randal Kolo Muani to strike back moments later.
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