Gary Neville is shut down on American TV by fellow pundit over calling Arsenal a ‘big let-down’ – and singling out one superstar’s ‘big drop-off’

• Gary Neville was called out on American TV by a fellow pundit on Saturday 
• The incident came after the Gunners drew 1-1 against Brentford at the Emirates
• LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Chris Sutton and Ian Ladyman debate the manager of the season awards… who is the best and worst? 

By ZAC CAMPBELL

Gary Neville was called out on American TV by a fellow pundit after labelling Arsenal’s performances this season as a ‘big let-down’. 

The incident occurred while the former Manchester United star was appearing as a pundit on NBC Sports on Saturday for the Gunners’ game against Brentford, which finished 1-1. 

That result saw Arteta’s side slip 13 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool following the Reds’ victory over West Ham on Sunday. 

Neville said: ‘What’s happened this season is I think they’ve gone backwards from the start of the season in terms of their recruitment. 

‘They never covered themselves for their likely injury to (Kai) Havertz who was their only centre-forward.’

However, Neville’s fellow pundit Robbie Mustoe retorted: ‘I wouldn’t agree that they have regressed. (Arteta) is getting closer, it was just a difficult season with injuries.’ 

Gary Neville was called out on American TV by a fellow pundit after labelling Arsenal’s performances this season as a ‘big let-down’

Neville’s fellow pundit Robbie Mustoe retorted: ‘I wouldn’t agree that they have regressed’

Arteta’s side now sit 13 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool following the Reds’ victory over West Ham on Sunday

Neville responded in kind by saying that he thought Arsenal were ‘always trying to be let off the hook’. 

He also singled out the performances of skipper Martin Odegaard, who he says had a ‘big drop-off’ throughout the 2024-25 campaign. 

Neville also expressed his belief that the Gunners have ‘the worst attacking squad out of the top six’. 

Arsenal have been without key players in attack for large parts of the season with Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus all facing extended periods on the sidelines at various points. 

As a result, they have struggled to match their prolific scoring rate of 91 goals from last season, scoring just 57 in 32 league matches so far this term. 

While Liverpool’s fate as Premier League champions is all but confirmed, Arteta knows all hope is not lost for his players. 

Neville singled out Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard for what he perceives as a ‘big drop-off’ in the Norwegian performances this term

Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final last Tuesday puts them in a commanding position

Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final last Tuesday puts them in a commanding position at the halfway point of the tie. 

With the return leg to come at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, Arteta will be seeking to guide the north London club to their first European Cup semi-final in 15 years. 

Despite not holding back when it came to Arsenal’s league performances, Neville noted that there was another competition in which Arsenal are serious contenders. 

He added: ‘If they win the Champions League all will be forgiven but otherwise their league performances have been a big let-down.’ 

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Gary Neville is shut down on American TV by fellow pundit over calling Arsenal a ‘big let-down’ – and singling out one superstar’s ‘big drop-off’

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