Gary Neville points finger at Mikel Arteta over Arsenal 'excuse' ahead of Liverpool clash

Mikel Arteta volition person to header without William Saliba against Liverpool adjacent week, but he's been told by Gary Neville that helium won't beryllium capable to usage that arsenic an excuse if Arsenal travel up short

Gary Neville says Mikel Arteta cannot usage the lack of cardinal players arsenic an excuse aft Arsenal ceded crushed successful the rubric race.

The Gunners were without talisman Bukayo Saka and nine skipper Martin Odegaard for Saturday evening's 2-0 nonaccomplishment astatine Bournemouth, with some of the Cherries' goals coming aft William Saliba had been sent off.

Saliba volition present beryllium suspended for Arsenal's adjacent 3 home games, including adjacent weekend's mouthwatering fixture against Liverpool. And portion it remains to beryllium seen if the likes of Saka oregon Odegaard volition instrumentality for their lucifer with the Reds, Neville has warned Arteta that pinning mediocre results connected missing players simply won't wash.

“No Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard oregon Jurrien Timber against Bournemouth? I get that but we're talking astir playing Bournemouth, who are a bully side, but they person a squad of 20 to woody with Champions League shot and a mates of injuries. We cognize players volition beryllium missing astatine definite points successful the season,” said Neville connected Sky Sports.

“Saka ever plays. If you were going to accidental you miss him once, twice, 3 times successful a play past Bournemouth distant would beryllium 1 of the games you whitethorn say, 'Okay that's good we person a squad to woody with it'.

“Arsenal without Saliba against Liverpool - they had the excuse a mates of seasons agone [when helium was retired injured successful the run-in] and that was accepted, helium was a large loss. But they've added players to the squad to beryllium capable to woody with that now.

“You can't beryllium 1 subordinate away, having a one-match ban, and the level spell from present [high] to present [low]. You person to stay accordant and reliable if you get an injury.”

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Neville went connected to notation Arsenal's superior rubric rivals, Manchester City, who coped with injuries to cardinal men Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne past twelvemonth arsenic they steamrolled their mode to a 4th consecutive home crown.

Others specified arsenic Phil Foden stepped successful De Bruyne's lack for City past twelvemonth and Neville says the onus is present connected Arsenal to get by without Saliba to support gait with the champions and Liverpool astatine the Premier League summit.

He continued: “We've seen City without Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne and they inactive get by. I cognize they're a instrumentality but I person a batch of assurance successful Arsenal and emotion for the mode they've developed. Next week we can't speech astir 'so-and-so isn't playing'. There's been a batch of money, a batch of improvement. Now's the clip to spell and amusement it.

“They're inactive successful with a large chance. It's precise aboriginal successful the season. Next Sunday is simply a large trial for Liverpool and a large question for Arsenal without Saliba.”

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