Gary Neville discovers Mikel Arteta’s “Weak Point” after Arsenal Thrash Leeds United
Arsenal drew a 5-0 demolition job by Leeds United on Saturday when Jurrien Timber and Viktor Gyokeres both grabbed a brace while Bukayo Saka also scored, but Gary Neville was not impressed with their slow start
Gary Neville has warned Arsenal that their bad first half hour against Leeds United “could come back as a weak point” later in the season, despite hammering the recently promoted page 5-0.
Gunners rushed into a dominant victory on the Emiraten on Saturday thanks to two goals each from Jurrien Timber and Viktor Gyokeres, plus one from Bukayo Saka.
It was a memorable day that also saw a debut that was handed over to 15-year-old Starlet Max Dowman, although the day is overshadowed by worrying injuries to Captain Martin Odegaard and Saka.
While it was a comfortable day for Arsenal, they were slow to get started when Leeds frustrated them – and it wasn’t until the 34th minute that they broke the deadlock when Jurrien Timber made from a corner.
Saka then did it two before the break before Gyokeres made the first of their two strikes on each side of another timber goal from one set of pieces.
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Neville praised Arsenal’s performance but said that their slow start was something to think about in the future because it could suggest a weakness.
“An emphatic profit for Arsenal – which was too good for Leeds,” said the former Manchester United defender. He added: “I would not forget the first half hour for Arsenal because it could come back as a weak point.
Neville was also critical of Gyokere’s game during the first half when he shrugged chances and struggled to get started.
“It’s been a struggle,” he said. “I thought he was showing glimpses against United, I thought Matthijs they marked him brilliantly. Playing at Old Trafford is a tough game. I’m a little more worried about today.
“It is obviously very early in his career, but you can’t let the negativity spiral build. The pressure is on him. People look to him to make the 20 goals that will take Arsenal to the title. The review will be good if it continues like this. He needs a goal.
“It’s not just the point, is it? It’s the general game. Does he look like he’s good looking in his game, nice, to play people, awareness of what’s going on around him? He looks a little scary in his first game and a half.”
Gyokeres had the last laugh when he struck back to pounds by scoring twice in the second half – the first from a smart finish and the second from the penalty.