In the second half of Arsenal’s victory over Manchester City, Gary Neville saw that Declan Rice was quite upset with Gabriel Jesus for failing to square the ball to the midfielder on the edge of the six-yard box.
Neville was speaking on Super Sunday, which was televised on Sky Sports, after Arsenal had a little window of opportunity and Nathan Ake just managed to grab the ball from the Brazilian.
The encounter on Sunday seemed destined for a scoreless draw. The day wasn’t the finest for either Arsenal or Manchester City. Neither David Raya nor Ederson had to make many noteworthy saves.
In the second half, Arsenal were more active in the game. They also had a chance just before Gabriel Martinelli scored the lone goal.
Declan Rice’s displeasure with Gabriel Jesus was seen by Gary Neville
Gabriel Jesus was successful in reaching the six-yard box’s edge. He could have taken the shot. But with so many Man City players surrounding him, he would have needed to either outrun Nathan Ake or choose to square the ball to Declan Rice.
Jesus ultimately accomplished neither of these. The £45 million player was knocked down, and there was a quick penalty check. Replays, however, demonstrated that Ake touched the ball with his foot. Gary Neville also noted Rice’s apparent annoyance that Jesus did not lay the ball off.
Neville spoke to Sky Sports saying
“No, Jesus has to play it across. I didn’t think it was [a penalty] in real time, I’m a long way away from it. There, Ake just gets a touch on the ball.”
Gary Neville further added
“I think he has to play that across. Rice is really unhappy with him. I just think there he’s got to play it back into an area where Rice is. Foden is the wrong side of him.”
A winning goal for Arsenal’s summer signing would have been a major accomplishment
If Declan Rice had scored, that would have been a great accomplishment for him. Of course, his important goal against Manchester United before the international break drove the Emirates into a frenzy.
Since his arrival at the Emirates, he has excelled. But if he had scored the game-winning goal against Manchester City, any lingering doubts about how much Arsenal paid for him would have been allayed.
Arsenal, though, will not give a damn about who scored the goal. A significant turning point in the season could have been that deflected Gabriel Martinelli shot. At full time, the Gunners were well aware of this.
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