‘Absolutely shocking’ – Pundit slams Arsenal trio after Palace defeat
Lee Dixon has criticised Arsenal trio Nuno Tavares, Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes after their defensive display against Crystal Palace.
The Gunners were comfortably beaten 3-0 at Selhurst Park on Monday night as they suffered a hiccup in their pursuit of a top-four finish.
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This result came at a terrible time for Mikel Arteta’s men after they were replaced in fourth-place by Tottenham following their 5-1 win over Newcastle on Sunday.
Tavares, White and Gabriel were all at fault for both of Palace’s goals in the opening 45 minutes as Arsenal went into the break two goals down.
Gunners legend Dixon criticised the trio, explaining what he didn’t like from each defender.
“Look at Ben White’s position,” said Dixon (quotes via HITC). “He’s following Mateta, then all of a sudden he goes towards the ball and leaves him. He then has a free header inside the six-yard box. It can’t happen. Stay with your man! Things like that tell me they’re not switched on.
“It’s one of the balls in where you say ‘Oh, Gabriel has made a mistake’. You got to win the ball. The defending is absolutely shocking.
“The back four are in a decent position. As soon as Ayew starts to make his run inside, then Tavares has to step into him, don’t step back. He steps back, Tavares. He doesn’t do that and drops too deep.
“That just enables Ayew to run into the gap. Then Gabriel has to win it. If you are the last line of defence, you have to be 100% sure you are going to win the ball, he doesn’t and is out of position.”
“I think Tottenham have got the better fixtures,” Carragher told Sky Sports.
“Arsenal have that game in hand but if you look at that game in hand it’s Chelsea away. It’ll be difficult to see Arsenal pick up too much from that game.”
Rooney said: “It’s between Tottenham and Arsenal and I think Tottenham have got the experience in the squad, I give them the upper hand.”
