Gary Neville blows Liverpool off after making a “dangerous” statement about Arsenal, missing the mark once more.
Gary Neville has attacked both Arsenal and Liverpool for their statements this week, with the former supporting Mikel Arteta after the player’s tirade against VAR officials.
Recently, Gary Neville, a pundit and former Manchester United defender, voiced his disapproval of Liverpool and Arsenal’s actions regarding their criticism of VAR (Video Assistant Referee). Both teams issued statements expressing their displeasure with refereeing calls, which Neville views as “quite dangerous” and compromising the Premier League’s integrity.
The argument started when Arsenal lost 1-0 to Newcastle United and several questionable decisions about the game’s winning goal were examined by VAR. Manager of the Gunners Mikel Arteta was incensed, calling the goal’s awarding “embarrassing,” “unacceptable,” and “a disgrace.”
Recently, Gary Neville, a pundit and former Manchester United defender, voiced his disapproval of Liverpool and Arsenal’s actions regarding their criticism of VAR (Video Assistant Referee). Both teams issued statements expressing their displeasure with refereeing calls, which Neville views as “quite dangerous” and compromising the Premier League’s integrity.
The argument started when Arsenal lost 1-0 to Newcastle United and several questionable decisions about the game’s winning goal were examined by VAR. Manager of the Gunners Mikel Arteta was incensed, calling the goal’s awarding “embarrassing,” “unacceptable,” and “a disgrace.”
READ MORE: After Mikel Arteta’s U-turn and missed Liverpool’s opportunity, Arsenal is about to further embarrass itself
Neville is not impressed with the statements made by either club and feels that they ought to act more responsibly in these situations. He makes the case that the Premier League ought to intervene to defend referees and deal with clubs’ actions of openly criticizing officiating calls.
On his Sky Sports podcast, Neville stated, “Liverpool had a shocking one [decision] go against them a few weeks ago and we knew it was wrong at the time.” “They had a lot to be upset about, but I believed that when Liverpool released a statement the following day, they were referencing sporting integrity, considering all of their options, and then suggesting a replay. To be fair, I considered that to be pretty dangerous.
“In my opinion, the clubs themselves ought to act more appropriately in these situations. I am currently focusing on the Premier League and its leadership because, in all honesty, they need to start taking referee protection seriously.
“I was thrilled about the new transparency, the referees’ apology to managers, and their communication with the clubs at the beginning of the season. However, what they receive in return is greatly and gravely undermined by their own clubs, so in my opinion, the Premier League and the other clubs need to sort out the clubs that are sending these letters in order to be fair.
“I believe that the concept of these letters being written is new. It seems to me that Mikel Arteta went off on Saturday, which is okay because he is an emotional person, and that on Sunday he nearly went to his board and said, “You need to back me,” and they fell for it.
“Arsenal is a massive, fantastic, wonderful football club with a huge history. It is an institution. They ought to act more appropriately. I believe that in a few years, whoever approved that statement will feel let down.
“I do believe that their clubs need to be punished by the Premier League. Although I understand that the Premier League is made up of the clubs, I do believe that they now need to tell the clubs, “Come on, we expect a lot better than this.”
Neville stresses the value of openness and communication between referees and clubs, but he feels that Liverpool and Arsenal’s actions are undermining these efforts. He feels that clubs who resort to writing public letters of complaint should be held accountable by the Premier League, who should step in and demand better behavior.
In addition, the pundit went into great detail to explain how specific camera angles might have given the impression that the ball had left the play when it had not, in light of the contentious goal at St. James’ Park. This analysis aims to demonstrate the intricacy of VAR rulings and the difficulties referees encounter in rendering precise decisions.
Liverpool.com states that it is incredibly unfair to combine Liverpool’s and Arsenal’s statements in this particular case. The Gunners conceded because of a subjective call, but the Reds were denied a legitimate goal and the referees knew a mistake had been made.
Furthermore, Liverpool was still unaware of the precise reason behind the non-awarding of Luis Díaz’s goal at the time of its declaration. It had only been called a “significant human error” up until then, with no explanation provided. Regarding Arsenal, we already know the outcome and possible reasoning behind the officials’ decision.
Other clubs should have backed Liverpool’s statement after their error at Tottenham, which should have marked a turning point. Rather, they all sat on their hands and are now complaining about injustice just because they were wronged.
The actions of Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are not Liverpool’s fault. The Reds’ situation was distinct, and it was obvious that significant adjustments to VAR’s operation were required in addition to an apology. The Gunners are merely behaving petty, and they saw an opening when rival teams seemed to believe that Díaz’s goal was just an ordinary error. It most definitely wasn’t.
