Gary Neville claims Arsenal ‘can’t counter-attack’ and labels Arteta’s side ‘predictable and safe’ | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United defender Gary Neville labelled Arsenal’s attack as “safe and predictable” following their 1-1 draw with the Red Devils on Sunday.

Declan Rice rescued a point for Mikel Arteta’s side after Bruno Fernandes had given the home side the lead with a first-half free-kick.

Despite scoring seven against PSV Eindhoven last Tuesday, Arteta’s side have managed just one goal in their last three Premier League games and Neville had some harsh criticism of the Gunners attack after the game.

“Arsenal can’t counter-attack, and when they have the ball in possession in the final third, they can’t really innovate and play through,” he said on the Gary Neville Podcast.

“So, the three ways you score goals in games – set pieces they’ve been pretty good at, weren’t that great today but set pieces they’ve been doing well on – the other two areas that you mainly score goals from are when you are in possession dominating the game as a top team, or when you’re counter-attacking and can really go quickly.

“They find themselves always having to come back and recycle and play it across the field.

“Predicable. Safe. They’re doing a good job at times but they need players who can interact with each-other and quicken up play in the final third. That’s what top players do.

“Liverpool are better in the final third than them and the attacking metrics show that.

“Arsenal are very good defensively, even though I thought United had three or four big chances in the second half, but they still only conceded one goal through their goalkeeper and back four.”

Gabriel Martinelli made his return from injury against Man Utd but Arsenal remain without three of their forward options in Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

Saka is expected to return before the end of the season but Havertz and Jesus will miss the entirety of the campaign.