Gary Neville recently criticized Arsenal’s top players, including Martin Odegaard, for failing to lead and lift their less experienced teammates during the club’s recent struggles.
In an interview on The Overlap podcast, the ex-Manchester United full-back questioned Odegaard’s leadership ability and pointed out that the Gunners’ senior players, such as Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey, and Granit Xhaka, did not step up to guide the younger players in crucial moments of high-pressure matches.
“When you actually get to the highest pressurized moments in the biggest matches in the crux of the season, are they leaders then?” Neville said. “In fact, they contributed to the difficulties they were having in the matches.”
Neville specifically mentioned Xhaka’s performance at Anfield, Partey’s recent performances, Zinchenko’s costly mistake in a game, and Odegaard’s struggle against Manchester City.
He suggested that during the most challenging period when the younger players needed guidance, the senior players did not impact the team positively, which made it difficult for the club to stay in the title race.
Arsenal’s winless streak of four league matches has put their lead at the top of the Premier League in jeopardy, and Neville’s comments raise questions about the team’s ability to bounce back and compete for the title.