Gary Neville delivered a scathing early assessment of Arsenal during their high-stakes Premier League meeting with Manchester City, criticising what he viewed as a reckless decision inside the opening match before VAR was called into action.
The former Manchester United defender did not hold back as Arsenal attempted to play out from the back within the first few minutes, a move that almost proved costly.
Under pressure inside their own penalty area, the Gunners risked conceding possession in a dangerous position, prompting an immediate reaction from Neville on commentary duty.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “That could not happen for Arsenal, what the hell are you playing at?
“The one thing that you would say Arsenal cannot do in the first five or ten minutes is play a stupid little pass along their six-yard box and they have gone and done it.”
The moment of uncertainty quickly escalated into a major chance for City.
Rayan Cherki saw an effort take a deflection and crash against the post, with Gabriel Magalhães appearing to get the decisive touch.
That intervention sparked loud appeals for a possible handball, but the referee waved play on, and VAR soon confirmed there was no infringement.
Neville offered his interpretation of the incident as replays were reviewed: “It’s been cleared. He just sort of leans down doesn’t he, Gabriel. Maybe it’s a shoulder, it’s not easy to see what part of the arm/shoulder it is. It’s high up, you can see why they’ve waved it on.”
Despite the nervy start, Arsenal gradually settled into the contest and began to impose themselves.
However, their recovery was interrupted in the 16th minute when Cherki produced a moment of individual brilliance.
The young forward weaved his way through before finishing emphatically, giving City an early lead and rewarding their aggressive opening.
Arsenal’s response, though, was swift. Not long after falling behind, Kai Havertz capitalised on hesitation from Gianluigi Donnarumma, who failed to deal convincingly with a loose ball.
Havertz reacted sharply, blocking the attempted clearance and watching as the ball rolled into an empty net, restoring parity in dramatic fashion.
The game continued at a relentless pace, with both sides pushing for control. Yet it was City who eventually regained the advantage midway through the second half.
Erling Haaland struck in the 65th minute, once again underlining his importance in crucial moments. From there, Pep Guardiola’s side managed the game effectively, holding off Arsenal’s advances to secure a vital victory.
Richards backs City’s title charge after statement win
The result carries significant implications in the title race, particularly given that City still have a game in hand.
Their win moves them within touching distance of the league leaders and reinforces the belief that their experience could prove decisive in the closing stages of the season.
Former City defender Micah Richards shared that view after the final whistle, suggesting the outcome could be a turning point in the campaign.
“I’ve always said whoever wins this game will have the momentum,” Richards declared on Sky Sports shortly after the final whistle.
“Obviously City got to go to Burnley and win that but Arsenal have still got two games before Manchester City play again, they’ve got Newcastle and Fulham.
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“I just thought this was the game. If they could get over the line in this game and stay within three points of Arsenal, I just think with the experience, the big players, the big moments.
“I thought Arsenal were very good in all honesty today, but Manchester City just get over the line and Rayan Cherki, what a player he is.
“Bernardo Silva, the energy that he puts in, the way he gets on the ball, being an older guy. Leaving at the end of the season. But they just have that momentum going into the end of the season.”
While Arsenal showed resilience after their shaky beginning, the defeat leaves them with little margin for error in the remaining fixtures.
City, by contrast, appear to be gathering pace at exactly the right time, combining composure with clinical quality.
