Gary Neville has told Sky Sports that Arsenal’s forward players were a ‘joke’ against Liverpool on Monday Night Football.
Arsenal badly struggled against Jurgen Klopp’s side at the weekend, as they sunk to a 3-0 defeat.
Mikel Arteta’s men usually try and press high from the front, but the Arsenal team just lacked any sort of energy or vigour.
Liverpool, of course, did show some quality on the ball, but Arsenal allowed them to play.
And Neville was alarmed by the lack of energy he saw from Dani Ceballos, Thomas Partey, Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang.
“What was really different was the lack of effort of the front six. Odegaard, he did a few times try and get a press on but he was on his own,” he said.
“The rest of them I would go as far to say they were a joke. Chambers is trying to get Pepe forward!
“All the way through the first half I was watching this and getting more and more uncomfortable with it.
“Arteta when he said he was shocked I think he would be shocked at the lack of application he saw from he front part of the team against the ball.
“Partey and Ceballos in midfield, nowhere near enough pressure. The wide players nothing like. Lacazette we know it’s not his strength.”
Of the players listed by Neville, there are huge doubts over the likes of Ceballos, Lacazette and Pepe all being at the club next season.
Ceballos is only on loan, while Lacazette and Pepe may well be offloaded by Arsenal if they can raise big funds.
Partey, though, will surely be a crucial player in the future, as he has generally impressed since his £45 million move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer (BBC Sport).
The defeat to Liverpool leaves Arsenal clinging on to their top half spot, after what has been a disappointing campaign to date.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
