Former Manchester United player Gary Neville has criticized Arsenal trio Laurent Koscielny, Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil following their performances during Gunners’ 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.
The pundit told Sky Sports News after the game that the trio are not putting in their best for the club.
“I might be being a bit harsh here, but I’m going to say them anyway. Koscielny always goes off. He’s a centre-back. He plays to half-time and then goes off. He might have a bit of a problem with his Achilles and I might be being very harsh, but he went off against Bayern Munich and went off in a big game today.”
“Walcott trudges off the pitch. He hasn’t played well, but his attitude is, ‘I’ve scored a goal, you shouldn’t take me off.’ Yes you should, you were poor and that’s a matter of fact. Mesut Ozil goes through on goal and bottles out of a challenge when his manager’s backside is on the line. Go for a 50-50 or nick in front and win a penalty.
On Ozil, he added that, “I can’t be watching him playing football sometimes, someone who has so much talent. when you watch Messi and Ronaldo give their all in every match, Ozil struts around like a worker in a coal mine.”
There’s three instances today and I’m being harsh, but if you’re talking about throwing the cat among the pigeons, let’s do it. Let’s throw it out there. Arsene Wenger deserved for Koscielny to at least have a go for five minutes in the second half. Go on mate, have a go for us. No, he didn’t.”
“Theo Walcott should sprint off the pitch and shake the manager’s hand and say, ‘Thanks very much for giving me a game today. I’m lucky.’ Mesut Ozil should go for a 50-50 with the goalkeeper. That would help, wouldn’t it?”
Giroud, Coquelin, Koscielny renew Arsenal contracts
The trio of Arsenal Olivier Giroud, Francis Coquelin and Laurent Koscielny have all agreed new contract extensions with Arsenal.
Gunners boss, Arsene Wenger made the announcement on Arsenal’s official website, www.arsenal.com, saying
“We are very pleased that three important members of our team have committed to us for the long term. Francis has made tremendous technical strides over the past few years because he’s so focused every day. Olivier has big experience in the game now and has become a more and more complete player since joining us. “Laurent is of course a key part of our squad and I believe one of the best defenders in the world today. So overall, this is great news for us.” He said
Meanwhile Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are yet to decide their Arsenal future. The duo’s contracts expire in the summer of 2018.
Petr Cech and Laurent Koscielny cancel Arsenal's Christmas party
Arsenal will not be having their annual Christmas party this year.
The decision to cancel the ceremony was at the suggestion of Petr Cech and Laurent Koscielny. And it was reportedly done to avoid a backlash from irate fans. After falling nine-point back of Chelsea, the two decided that no one at the club deserves to have any fun in their lives, thus they canceled the players’ annual Christmas party.