Neville reacts to Ian Maatsen incident in Arsenal v Aston Villa – ‘Goodness’
Ian Maatsen has been slammed by Gary Neville for his poor defending in the lead-up to Gabriel Martinelli’s opener for Arsenal against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Martinelli put the Gunners in front 35 minutes into the game at the Emirates Stadium on 18 January despite goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s best efforts, with the ball just going over the line.
Reviewing the footage, Neville noticed Maatsen failing to keep an eye on Martinelli’s run, resulting in agony for Martinez and Mikel Arteta’s side going into the half-time break with a one-goal lead.
“He [Maatsen] never looks at him [Martinelli] once, the left-back”, Neville said on Sky Sports Main Event (18 January, 6:05 pm).
“He has got a closed body shape and Martinelli just drives inside him as every good winger should from the opposite side.
“You can just see there, it’s agonising for Martinez, the goalkeeper.”
A few minutes later, Neville suggested Unai Emery made a mistake by dropping Lucas Digne in favour of Maatsen.
He said: “Unai Emery made one change, goodness, this match and that was Maatsen for Digne. He’s having a tough time, the left-back.”
Unai Emery regret Ian Maatsen decision in Arsenal v Aston Villa
Emery only made one change to the team that beat Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park on Wednesday (15 January), bringing Maatsen in for Digne.
However, he may already be regretting that decision as Maatsen struggled to impress in the first half against Arsenal.
Martinelli’s goal exposed Maatsen’s shortcomings in defence and one can only wonder if the Birmingham-based club would have conceded had Digne been on the pitch.
The Frenchman notably made one interception, three clearances and six recoveries on Merseyside in the mid-week fixture [FotMob].
He also won five of his ground duels, as well as two of his aerial duels. Digne is perhaps better than Maatsen defensively and it is there to see.
However, it remains to be seen if the former Chelsea youngster can prove his doubters wrong in the second half.
Otherwise, Emery may choose to bring Digne on for Maatsen at some point.
In other Aston Villa news, Villa are hijacking a transfer with Monchi in advanced talks over a blockbuster deal.
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