‘He shouldn’t do that’: Gary Neville criticises 30-year-old Arsenal ace after Liverpool moment

Follow us on Google Discover

Arsenal were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool on Wednesday night and pundit Gary Neville was far from impressed with Cedric Soares during Diogo Jota’s opener.

The Gunners were full of confidence after five straight Premier League wins, and beating Liverpool would have been a major statement to the rest of the top four.

After a spirited first-half showing, Arsenal fell to two second-half goals with Jota and Roberto Firmino firing Liverpool to victory.

The nature of the opener will leave Arsenal a little frustrated, largely because Aaron Ramsdale was beaten at his near post.

Maybe Ramsdale was anticipating Jota going across goal and was just caught out, but he couldn’t stop the Portuguese ace from scoring.

Whilst Neville did suggest that Ramsdale should have done better, he actually had more of an issue with Cedric’s defending.

Thiago picked up possession just inside the Arsenal half and Cedric was dragged out towards the overlapping Andrew Robertson.

Bukayo Saka was focused on Thiago, meaning Jota was able to pick up a space between Cedric and Ben White, who was marking Sadio Mane.

That space allowed Jota to move in and fire in the goal, setting Liverpool on their way to victory.

Neville wasn’t impressed with Cedric’s decision-making in that situation, believing he had to stay with Jota at all costs and not allow that inside run from the Liverpool star.

“Cedric the full back becomes detached from Ben White,” said Neville (Sky Sports, 15/04, 54mins). “He goes out towards Robertson and he shouldn’t do that, he should stay in, the danger is Jota,” he added.

Cedric has performed admirably whilst filling in for the injured Takehiro Tomiyasu, but maybe this is where you can notice the drop-off.

Tomiyasu, a very strong defender, may not have made that decision in that situation, which is why the Japanese star is first-choice.

Arsenal will hope to get Tomiyasu back soon, but will also have to hope for better from Cedric against Aston Villa this weekend with Tomiyasu still likely to be out.