Gary Neville claims Arsenal’s ‘obsession’ is the reason they won’t clinch the Premier League title

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Gary Neville believes Arsenal’s “dependence” on set pieces has dented their chances of winning the Premier League title this season.

Former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has expressed doubts about Arsenal’s ability to win the Premier League this season. Neville attributes their struggles to the Gunners’ “obsession” with set-pieces, heavily influenced by their set-piece coach, Nicolas Jover.

According to Neville, Arsenal’s intense focus on set-pieces has resulted in a loss overall gameplay. This rigid approach, he argues, has stifled the creativity and fluidity that previously defined the team. Since Jover joined Arsenal in 2021, he has implemented innovative strategies and data-driven methods, making Arsenal one of the most efficient teams in Europe for dead-ball situations.

Despite their impressive set-piece statistics, Neville contends that this focus has come at a significant cost. Arsenal’s recent performances have lacked dynamism and spontaneity, which Neville attributes to their set-piece-centric approach. While injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz have impacted the team, Neville believes that their decline is more due to tactical rigidity than player absences. He also cites Arsenal’s lack of transfer planning as a primary reason for their inability to cope with injuries and keep up with Liverpool.

Neville describes Arsenal as becoming rigid and turgid to watch, with their set-piece obsession overshadowing their entire game. He emphasizes that while the injuries to Saka, Jesus, and Havertz are significant blows, the team still needed to perform better against West Ham.

Neville’s critique extends beyond tactics. He notes that Arsenal missed a golden opportunity to narrow the gap on league leaders Liverpool but failed to do so. The Gunners’ loss to West Ham, coupled with Liverpool’s victory over Manchester City, has widened the gap at the top of the table. Neville suggests that Arsenal’s inability to adapt and their over-reliance on set-pieces are major factors in their failure to mount a serious title challenge.

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