Neville: 'He's the least experienced experienced player I've ever watched. He's rash'
Wednesday 30 October 2019 18:22, UK
Gary Neville says Granit Xhaka needs to start learning from his mistakes and believes the midfielder needs to apologise to supporters.
The Switzerland international was booed off the pitch by home supporters at the Emirates on Saturday as the Gunners squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace.
Xhaka responded by cupping his ears to the fans before removing his shirt and heading straight down the tunnel.
Neville told Sky Sports News he needs to start improving his discipline and learning from his mistakes in an Arsenal shirt.
"I struggle with Xhaka full stop, I'll be honest with you. I just think it's his ill-discipline in his performances generally over a period of the last two or three years," he said.
"I've never watched a player who seems to learn less from his experiences than Xhaka.
"He makes what must be four hundred mistimed tackles a match. He essentially gets booked every time I watch him, I don't watch him every single game but every game I do watch he gets booked.
He makes what must be four hundred mistimed tackles a match. He essentially gets booked every time I watch him.
"He doesn't seem to set the tone for the rest of his team-mates with his performance levels. So, what happened on Sunday doesn't surprise me."
Arsenal head coach Unai Emery said Xhaka was "sad" and "devastated" after Sunday's events but did confirm he returned to training on Monday.
Neville, who has been critical of the Arsenal captain in the past, praised the midfielder's work rate, but questioned the quality he brings to Emery's side.
"He does give his all, he's committed. There's no doubt about that. You can see someone there," says Neville.
"But he's the least experienced experienced player I've ever watched. He's rash.
"I've got no problem with this idea of taking on your fans or a bit of tension. It's never great, it's not healthy. But actually, in football, that can happen.
"I have a bigger problem, watching him, with his performance levels, the way he doesn't perform and doesn't carry his team on the pitch."
Despite returning to training, Emery confirmed Xhaka would not be part of his squad for their Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Liverpool, live on Sky Sports, and has not ruled out removing the 27-year-old as captain.
Neville believes Xhaka has to say sorry for his actions if he is to rebuild bridges with the club's supporters.
He said: "Those little disputes can happen, I've seen them at Manchester United over the years where you can get those little bits of fire that occur every so often.
"He's having a poor time and I think, ultimately, it'll be very difficult for him to continue wearing the armband.
"But it wouldn't surprise me if Unai Emery sorted it out with him and he does. I think it will be very difficult to patch it up quickly with the fans, I think he'll have to apologise heavily too them."
On Wednesday, there will be two Carabao Cup games live on Sky Sports. Liverpool host Arsenal - live on Sky Sports Football from 7pm; Kick-off 7.30pm - while Man Utd visit Chelsea - live on Sky Sports Main Event, also from 7pm; Kick-off 8.05pm.
Soccer Special will also be live from 7.30pm on Sky Sports News and Sky Sports Premier League, with live blog coverage across Sky Sports' digital platforms from 6.30pm. There will also be free highlights of each game available after full-time.
