Gary Neville has completely split opinion of Arsenal fans in ‘excuses’ rant amid injury crisis

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Arsenal fans have a frail relationship with Gary Neville, who has split opinion with his punditry comments over the years.

While Neville still thinks Arsenal can win the Premier League title, the Sky Sports pundit has been critical of the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta might divide opinion with his tactics and decisions as Arsenal manager but, the fact remains that the North Londoners are in a good place regardless of the issues they’ve had this campaign. 

Sitting in second place in the Premier League and looking strong in the Champions League, there’s still a lot to play for this season but, obtaining silverware won’t be easy. 

Arsenal’s injury record this campaign has been disastrous, with Arteta’s attack seeming to shrink by the week with yet another serious injury suffered in the squad. 

Kai Havertz has been ruled out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair his hamstring, leaving the Spaniard with just three fit senior forwards; Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling. 

Arteta has insisted that he doesn’t want sympathy for the situation Arsenal find themselves in but, that didn’t stop Neville from unleashing a scathing rant about excuses.

• READ MORE: Kai Havertz breaks silence on ‘tough’ injury with positive surgery update as Arsenal star thanks supporters

Gary Neville splits opinion over Arsenal ‘excuses’ claim 

Speaking to Peter Drury on Sky Sports’ coverage of Manchester United’s defeat to Tottenham, Neville was asked a simple question that he opted to answer with an uncalled-for rant. 

“Is Mikel Merino capable of being Arsenal’s starting centre forward?” Drury asked, to which Neville responded by saying that he had ‘very little sympathy’ for the Gunners’ injury situation.

The pundit mentioned Arsenal’s lack of direction in the summer and winter transfer windows, saying that having been in two title races, there are ‘no excuses’ to the lack of depth in the squad right now.

Arsenal fans reacted to the clip shared on X with divided opinion, with some going against Neville to slam the former Manchester United defender’s uncalled-for rant.

“Who at Arsenal asked for sympathy? I get that Gary Neville is unlikeable but at this point he’s actually pathetic,” an Arsenal fan said, as many others agreed.

“Oh …… Arsenal fans and Arsenal players are crying right now…… because they don’t get sympathy from Gary Neville…….”

Another accused Neville of being ‘disingenuous’ with his claim in response to the question regarding Mikel Merino’s positioning.

“He’s being disingenuous suggesting it’s only an injury to Havertz. It’s Havertz, Saka, Martinelli & Jesus…It’s all our key attackers.”

While some fans were totally against what the pundit was saying, others were surprisingly more understanding of his explanation.

“He’s right for once,” An Arsenal fan said before explaining why they agreed with Neville.

“We knew our summer window was poor, and we knew we had to do something in January when players were falling and we didn’t. He’s saying what every fan has said for months.”

Many others agreed with the pundit.

“Arsenal fans need to stop getting outraged when people say things ‘against’ us. Gary Neville was asked his opinion on Merino, he gave it. He made good points, most we all agree with.”

Kroenkes are to blame for Arsenal’s lack of depth 

Neville split opinion with his strong words on Arsenal but, the pundit did raise some points that many within the fanbase agree with.

The Kroenkes had the chance to support Arteta in both the summer and the winter transfer window but failed to do so, leaving the Spaniard with limited options. 

Had Arsenal got things right, things could be entirely different but instead, issues stemming back to many years ago remain unaddressed.

Arsenal might miss out on the title due to having a lack of firepower in attack, which was a frailty many have been aware of for some time.