Gary Neville claims Arsenal showed ‘signs of a wobble’ after Theo Walcott doubled Southampton’s lead in 3-3 draw against his former side… and says the Gunners’ response was ‘extremely strange’ after players huddled on the pitch
Gary Neville has said that Arsenal are showing ‘signs of wobble’ after Southampton took an early two-goal lead in their clash.
The Gunners were stunned early on in their clash with the Saints as Carlos Alcaraz and Theo Walcott struck to give the visitors a two-goal advantage.
After Walcott’s goal, the Arsenal players formed into a huddle on the pitch as they looked to calm their nerves and find their way back into the match.
It seemed to work as moments later they found a goal through Gabriel Martinelli, but Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville said it was ‘strange’.
‘Shock, absolute shock around this stadium, Zinchenko is forming a huddle, I have to say he would be better getting round his centre-back than forming a huddle, this is extremely strange, extremely strange,’ Neville said.
Arsenal’s players gathered in a huddle after falling behind by two goals to Southampton
Gary Neville blasted the behaviour as ‘extremely strange’ as the Gunners sunk behind
‘Odegaard is having a word saying what’s going on. It’s all a little odd. If you wanted signs of nerves, signs of wobble, signs of tension, you’re seeing it all in front of your eyes.
‘I talked about punching through midfield, Walcott takes Gabriel wide and cuts back inside, brilliant connection from Southampton, Walcott knows how to score that goal, how many times have we seen it in an Arsenal shirt? This stadium is stunned.
‘Watching that first 20 minutes they were watching the invisibles.’
The Gunners had a terrible start against the bottom-placed team in the league, as Aaron Ramsdale’s pass gifted an opportunity to Carlos Alcaraz.
The Saints forward made no mistake in tucking his effort past the England international before Theo Walcott doubled the tally shortly afterwards.
In response, Zinchenko gathered his team-mates in the centre of their half and looked to be discussing tactics and shapes of play.
Shortly after, Martinelli gave Arsenal hope by smashing in a volley and reducing the deficit to just one goal.
With the score at 2-1, the camera then panned to Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira – two members of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ – inside the stadium.
‘That first 20 minutes they were watching the invisibles!’ Neville said on commentary.
It’s a huge night for the Gunners, who can extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to seven points with a win over the Saints before they travel to the Etihad to face Manchester City in a do-or-die clash on Wednesday.
Theo Walcott (L) struck against his former club to briefly put the Saints 2-0 up at the Emirates
