Gary Neville has hit out at Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover again, claiming he “overstates his importance” with his touchline antics.
Arsenal have had huge success from corners and free-kicks in recent seasons and Jour has been credited with adding a new dimension to Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Gunners benefited from his skills again last night as Gabriel headed in a goal from Declan Rice’s left corner before beating Spurs striker Dominic Solanke and heading in for an equalizer in the North London derby. Arsenal then won through a goal from Leandro Trossard to move to within four points of table-toppers Liverpool.
Dominic Solanke’s deflection following a Gabriel header means Arsenal equalize in North London derby
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And while Neville is happy to give Jover credit for his work, the former Manchester United and England full-back believes he needs to rein in his enthusiasm.
Speaking on Stick to Football, Neville said: “I called him the most annoying man in football. Do you know something? I’m cementing my position, I’m doubling down.
“It offends me every week. I’m going to say this really quietly, I think it overstates the importance of it.
“If the goalkeeper saves well, I don’t see a goalkeeping coach on the edge of the touchline. I don’t see other coaches going up and getting credit for that.
“The manager is up front, he can’t communicate from 50 yards away with players who know what they’re doing. I think that overstates its importance, I really do.
“I see goalkeeper coaches and brilliant coaches who work on other aspects of the game, I don’t see them drawing attention to themselves and overstating their importance.
“I think so. I understand it’s important and he’s doing a great job but I really think he needs to sit back a little bit. I think even the players will start looking at him and thinking, ‘hang on a minute, come on’.
Wright says Neville was harsh
Neville’s co-hosts had differing opinions on that view, with Jamie Carragher admitting he “couldn’t disagree with him”, while former Arsenal striker Ian Wright felt it was “very, very harsh”.
Gabriel also scored the winner as Arsenal won the reverse fixture at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September, after which Arteta hailed Jover’s work.
Asked if Jowar is the best in his field, he said: “In his field, in other fields and as a person. And our relationship – that’s why I decided to bring him to the city (Manchester) when I was there and then to Arsenal.
“He and the rest of the staff have made the players believe that there are many ways to win football matches. This is really powerful and has given us a lot. So a big congratulations to all of them.”