Gary Neville and Paul Merson both took issue with one Arsenal star after their 2-0 home defeat by Aston Villa - as the former said he was 'the problem' in the team.
The Gunners were dealt a massive blow in the title race at the Emirates on Sunday as two late goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins consigned them to a fifth defeat of the season to hand Manchester City the initiative at the top of the table.
Manager Mikel Arteta made a handful of changes to his usual XI, opting to switch Kai Havertz from forward to central midfield, while Leandro Trossard came in to start on the left hand side with no space for Jorginho.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus was deployed as the main centre forward leading the line, but the tactical switch did not pay off as the Gunners drew a blank.
Sky Sports pundit Neville singled out Jesus for criticism, calling him 'scruffy' with regards to his final ball and said he was 'the problem' as Arsenal struggled to break down a stubborn Villa side.
'He's been so scruffy in the final part of his game Gabriel Jesus, during the first half,' Neville said on commentary while referencing a poor pass from the Brazilian.
'He's still shaking his head and wondering how he didn't make that pass. He hustles and harasses but his imperfection is the problem at the moment,' Neville continued.
Later on, Arsenal legend and fellow Sky pundit Merson also spoke about Jesus, claiming he would have been better as an option to bring on off the bench - questioning why Arteta didn't stick with the same winning team.
'I said before the game I didn't like Arteta's decision with the team he picked,' he said after the game. 'Keep on playing the same team that wins every week, don't have the wool pulled over your eyes for a 25-minute cameo against Bayern Munich.
'Jesus comes on and does well and he moves Havertz. They've won nine of 10 with Jorginho and Havertz playing where they were. It was a bench today that if it wasn't going right, he didn't have anyone. Usually, you have Trossard and Jesus to come on.'
sizbckmstz
0
I agree however Trossard played well
yes, but l like him when he came from sub
sizbckmstz
0
even a mad man know arteta is the curse because playing ball with a good team like Aston villa you don't need to use kai harvetz as your midfielder where he can not give passes or can't control pressure to cool the game and arteta refuse to introduce Thomas partey into the game
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he supposed to focus on PL than champion, now we are going to win nothing
sizbckmstz
0
Arteta sometimes he behave like fool, why didn't he sub havert who squander 3 chance in the first half, beside he too slow he couldn't even kick the ball neither to make a single correct pass.is the coach not foolish..
Nketiah is more better than his so Havert
sizbckmstz
0
We have to investigate Arteta involvement with Jesus and Zinchenko. All 3 from City and their behaviors always to hand City the initiative is alarming. When Liverpool leading the table, Arteta will put in our best squad, but now Man City led the table, he brought in Jesus and Zinchenko, two players that made us bottled the league last season, and even playing Havertz in midfield when Jorginho was on the bench.
not all Jorginho Party as well. but I don't understand too why he totally dropped Nketiah? he always give Havert full time.
malablata
1
We have to investigate Arteta involvement with Jesus and Zinchenko. All 3 from City and their behaviors always to hand City the initiative is alarming. When Liverpool leading the table, Arteta will put in our best squad, but now Man City led the table, he brought in Jesus and Zinchenko, two players that made us bottled the league last season, and even playing Havertz in midfield when Jorginho was on the bench.
Nikechukwu
0
Exactly my point, Jesus spoilt the rhythm of the attack.
Nikechukwu
0
Arteta sometimes he behave like fool, why didn't he sub havert who squander 3 chance in the first half, beside he too slow he couldn't even kick the ball neither to make a single correct pass.is the coach not foolish..
Everything is coach, is it Coach that missed the chances, I only blame him for playing Zinchenko and Jesus.
Yobablrsz
2
Arteta sometimes he behave like fool, why didn't he sub havert who squander 3 chance in the first half, beside he too slow he couldn't even kick the ball neither to make a single correct pass.is the coach not foolish..
nunciknpr
2
Spot-on,👍,Legends Arteta he's still learning to manage,,where do you ever see a coach changing his winning combination in such crucial games,
sondiksu
0
Jesus who can't save his club too be Jesus?
huocdikns
0
you can not be making unnecessary changes each and every game no
perebi
4
even a mad man know arteta is the curse because playing ball with a good team like Aston villa you don't need to use kai harvetz as your midfielder where he can not give passes or can't control pressure to cool the game and arteta refuse to introduce Thomas partey into the game
Fepbcilnoz
1
I agree however Trossard played well
lundiluv
1
Stop blaming any one and give credit to Aston villa
Vubcelm
0
European will put blame on someone buh inAfrica it's juju.. and I believe in that especially what happened to arsenal and Lipool 😭 bad wind blew in their stadium, so sad 😭
vaociklmor
0
so cause gunas didn't make that's why all kinds of blaming haba
soubcdinpr
1
come on man city we are champion again
Rekdmnpr
1
Time to let Jesus go.
Vuniprstuy
5
it was bad day in office