Gary Neville launches scathing tirade on Arsenal’s ‘spineless’ players after EFL Cup final defeat to Manchester City

Neville was critical of the number of players walking rather than running in the final

Jack Austin
Monday 26 February 2018 07:37 EST
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Mustafi was lambasted for his part in City's opener
Mustafi was lambasted for his part in City's opener (Getty)

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Gary Neville launched a scathing attack on Arsenal’s “spineless” and “soft-bellied” players for their sub-par performance against Manchester City in the EFL Cup final on Sunday.

Arsene Wenger’s trophy-less streak in the tournament continued with the 3-0 defeat at Wembley as Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva all scored.

The Gunners started well and could have been ahead after only a couple of minutes when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed from close range before City took control of the game.

Shkodran Mustafi was too easily outmuscled for Aguero’s opener, leading Neville to brandish Arsenal’s players “a disgrace” as he reprimanded them for walking around the pitch.

“Look at Ramsey walking,” Neville said exasperatedly. “He's walking. Xhaka's walking, Ozil's walking. They're walking! Don't walk at Wembley.

“Don't walk on a football pitch. It's impossible. You're 2-0 down – run!”

After City’s third strike, Neville continued: “A minute before that goal I mentioned the walking and then the retreating runs of Ramsey and Xhaka ambling and jogging back... absolute disgrace they are.

“They are an absolute disgrace. Walking on a football pitch at Wembley, giving up... spineless.”

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