Gary Neville pointed the finger at Gabriel Magalhaes after Rayan Cherkiâs goal in Manchester Cityâs top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal, criticising the defender for failing to âget up to the ball quickerâ in the build-up.
Arsenal held their own in the opening exchanges at the Etihad, showing they were up for the fight after a worrying dip in form in recent matches.
But the Premier League leaders went behind to a piece of brilliance from Cherki, who latched onto a loose ball following Piero Hincapieâs clearing header before wreaking havoc inside the Arsenal penalty area.
Gabriel was punished after sitting off Cherki on the edge of the box, with the Frenchman driving forward with pace before twisting the Arsenal centre-back inside-out and beating David Raya with a composed finish.
There was more drama just two minutes later at the other of the pitch, though, as the visitors hit back immediately through the returning Kai Havertz to make it all square.
The home crowd was stunned into silence as Gianluigi Donnarumma clumsily dallied in possession and cleared straight into Havertz, who directed the ball home to set up an intriguing end to the first half.
Analysing Cherkiâs early breakthrough on Sky Sportsâ commentary of this afternoonâs potential title decider, Neville was less than impressed by Gabrielâs questionable defending.
âYou talk about big players turning up in big moments⊠Cherki, I called him last week âthe ambassador of confidenceâ for Manchester City. Heâs the ambassador of brilliance,â the former Manchester United and England right-back said.
âArsenal are shellshocked by a moment of pure class. City just win the second ball and I thought Gabriel should have got up quicker, I thought he should have got up to the ball quicker.
âAs soon as he doesnât, heâs back in his own box and itâs almost like a fielder on the edge of the boundary in cricket, the way in which Gabriel tries to tackle him. Thatâs not going to be enough.
âThe touch, the little skip, the balance and then the right-foot finish. That is as good as you will see, it is beautiful from Rayan Cherki.â
Watching back Cityâs opener in the Sky Sports studio at the half-time break, Roy Keane chose to focus on the Cherkiâs âbrillianceâ rather than Arsenalâs lacklustre defending.
âItâs brilliant. Brilliant player, very unpredictable,â the former Manchester United captain said.
âCity had an element of control early in the game, Arsenal are getting bodies back, but you know what City are like, they rotate the ball, movement, switches of playâŠ
âYou talk about someone producing brilliance and what he is, he is unpredictable, and thatâs very hard to stop.
âWhen he gets it you think thereâs no danger, Arsenal have got players back but the quickness of the feet and then the finish⊠my goodness.
âHeâs very difficult to stop, obviously, because heâs putting you on the back foot. The top players decide where theyâre going to go.
âYou think Arsenal have got defenders back and top defenders, really good defenders, Arsenalâs defensively are outstanding. But heâs dictating where heâs going.
âArsenal will be critical of themselves but from an attacking perspective, look at the feet, the quickness and then knowing where the goal is to slot it in the corner⊠itâs a moment of brilliance and then not long after, a moment of madness.â
Analysing Donnarummaâs costly lapse in concentration at the other end of the pitch, Neville praised Havertz for showcasing the âperseveranceâ to get his side back level.
âThis is what we wanted,â the ex-England defender explained.
âCherkiâs brilliance is cancelled out by perseverance.
âI was talking about a moment of madness at the other end from David Raya but Donnarumma⊠the touch, the delay and Kai Havertz, heâs pressed him into the back of his own net.
âArsenal have just answered a big question.â
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Arrow MORE: Tottenhamâs Kevin Danso issues defiant statement after suffering racist abuse
Arrow MORE: Arsenal legend slams âdisrespectfulâ Mikel Arteta sack talk but admits it could come
Arrow MORE: Emmanuel Petit names the Man City star he wishes Arsenal would have signed
Arsenal held their own in the opening exchanges at the Etihad, showing they were up for the fight after a worrying dip in form in recent matches.
But the Premier League leaders went behind to a piece of brilliance from Cherki, who latched onto a loose ball following Piero Hincapieâs clearing header before wreaking havoc inside the Arsenal penalty area.
Gabriel was punished after sitting off Cherki on the edge of the box, with the Frenchman driving forward with pace before twisting the Arsenal centre-back inside-out and beating David Raya with a composed finish.
There was more drama just two minutes later at the other of the pitch, though, as the visitors hit back immediately through the returning Kai Havertz to make it all square.
The home crowd was stunned into silence as Gianluigi Donnarumma clumsily dallied in possession and cleared straight into Havertz, who directed the ball home to set up an intriguing end to the first half.
Analysing Cherkiâs early breakthrough on Sky Sportsâ commentary of this afternoonâs potential title decider, Neville was less than impressed by Gabrielâs questionable defending.
âYou talk about big players turning up in big moments⊠Cherki, I called him last week âthe ambassador of confidenceâ for Manchester City. Heâs the ambassador of brilliance,â the former Manchester United and England right-back said.
âArsenal are shellshocked by a moment of pure class. City just win the second ball and I thought Gabriel should have got up quicker, I thought he should have got up to the ball quicker.
âAs soon as he doesnât, heâs back in his own box and itâs almost like a fielder on the edge of the boundary in cricket, the way in which Gabriel tries to tackle him. Thatâs not going to be enough.
âThe touch, the little skip, the balance and then the right-foot finish. That is as good as you will see, it is beautiful from Rayan Cherki.â
Watching back Cityâs opener in the Sky Sports studio at the half-time break, Roy Keane chose to focus on the Cherkiâs âbrillianceâ rather than Arsenalâs lacklustre defending.
âItâs brilliant. Brilliant player, very unpredictable,â the former Manchester United captain said.
âCity had an element of control early in the game, Arsenal are getting bodies back, but you know what City are like, they rotate the ball, movement, switches of playâŠ
âYou talk about someone producing brilliance and what he is, he is unpredictable, and thatâs very hard to stop.
âWhen he gets it you think thereâs no danger, Arsenal have got players back but the quickness of the feet and then the finish⊠my goodness.
âHeâs very difficult to stop, obviously, because heâs putting you on the back foot. The top players decide where theyâre going to go.
âYou think Arsenal have got defenders back and top defenders, really good defenders, Arsenalâs defensively are outstanding. But heâs dictating where heâs going.
âArsenal will be critical of themselves but from an attacking perspective, look at the feet, the quickness and then knowing where the goal is to slot it in the corner⊠itâs a moment of brilliance and then not long after, a moment of madness.â
Analysing Donnarummaâs costly lapse in concentration at the other end of the pitch, Neville praised Havertz for showcasing the âperseveranceâ to get his side back level.
âThis is what we wanted,â the ex-England defender explained.
âCherkiâs brilliance is cancelled out by perseverance.
âI was talking about a moment of madness at the other end from David Raya but Donnarumma⊠the touch, the delay and Kai Havertz, heâs pressed him into the back of his own net.
âArsenal have just answered a big question.â
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Arrow MORE: Tottenhamâs Kevin Danso issues defiant statement after suffering racist abuse
Arrow MORE: Arsenal legend slams âdisrespectfulâ Mikel Arteta sack talk but admits it could come
Arrow MORE: Emmanuel Petit names the Man City star he wishes Arsenal would have signed
