Gary Neville slams Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for his mistake as Southampton score early

Gary Neville criticised Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after his glaring error allowed Southampton to take a shock early lead against the Gunners.

Ramsdale’s attempted pass out to his centre-back failed to find it’s target as Carlos Alcaraz pounced and intercepted the loose ball before slotting a cool finish past the Arsenal goalkeeper after just 27 seconds.

Neville drew comparisons between Ramsdale and Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, who played a poorly-judged pass to Harry Maguire which contributed to Sevilla’s opening goal in their 3-0 win over the Red Devils on Thursday.

‘Wow, I had flashbacks to David de Gea and Harry Maguire last night, the difference is that got there and this didn’t,’ he said.

‘It was telegraphed, what a start to this game, I thought Ramsdale was fantastic at Anfield a few weeks ago, could have done better for second goal v West Ham.

Ramsdale (yellow) was consoled by his Arsenal team-mates after his error against Southampton

Ramsdale (far right) watches on as Alcaraz’s shot sails past him into the back of the net

‘But that is a very nervy start and has put the team top of the league against the bottom right up against it,’ he added.

Arsenal have now conceded the two quickest goals during this Premier League season after Bournemouth previously went in-front at the Emirates after just nine seconds.

Ramsdale has been one of the Premier League’s most impressive goalkeepers this season during Arsenal’s stunning rise to the top of the English top-flight.

He made a series of outstanding saves in the dying embers of Arsenal’s recent 2-2 draw at Anfield that kept the Gunners well-positioned in the title race ahead of chasers Man City.

But struggled in his side’s follow-up 2-2 draw with West Ham and was criticised by Neville for not doing enough to stop Jarod Bowen’s strike that saw points shared at the London Stadium.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher further highlighted Ramsdale’s mistakes as he explained that the England international should have saved Alcaraz’s shot.

‘He has to save it, he has been praised at the hilt last couple of weeks, just see Alcaraz, fantastic.

‘He gets a shot off, he wouldn’t be expecting to score with that and he shouldn’t score, Ramsdale gets his right hand to it, he has to deal with it, has to be stronger,’ added Carragher.

Man United goalkeeper De Gea was similarly at fault for a mistake that saw Sevilla score inside the opening 10 minutes of Thursday’s European clash.

The Spaniard put his centre-back Maguire under immense pressure by playing a pass into him on the edge of his box while surrounded by three opposition players.

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea made a similar mistake against Sevilla on Thursday

Southampton striker Carlos Alcaraz pounced on Ramsdale’s mistake to put his side in the lead.

Gary Neville slammed Aaron Ramsdale’s mistake that led to Southampton’s opening goal

Youssef En-Nesyri stole the ball off the United captain and scored to heap early pressure on the visitors.

Ramsdale’s struggles continued throughout the remainder of an action-packed first-half as did Neville’s criticism after the Arsenal goalkeeper unconvincingly deflected a series of on-target headers away for a corner. 

Neville again fumed: ‘What a mess that is, and then this one is a good reaction, just above his left shoulder, hegets a hand to it. 

‘It’s getting a little bit nervy, goalkeeper just a bit unsettled,’ he added.