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Soccer

John Giles picks out main Arsenal culprits when it comes to big game shortcomings

On Monday night, ex-Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin was effusive in his praise of Arsenal af...



John Giles picks out main Arse...
Soccer

John Giles picks out main Arsenal culprits when it comes to big game shortcomings

On Monday night, ex-Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin was effusive in his praise of Arsenal after their 0-0 draw at Chelsea, when they were the better team on the day in most people's eyes.

There was a discipline to the performance, especially in midfield, that is often lacking at Arsenal in the big games.

Pat picked out the solidity of the back three and the way Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka covered for each other in central midfield.

Leeds and Ireland great John Giles joined us as always on a Thursday and he highlighted another aspect.

You can listen to the full chat with John below: 

John Giles picks out main Arsenal culprits when it comes to big game shortcomings

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

Asked by Dave, why Arsenal cannot play with such solidity more often is related to certain individuals.

"Well, one of the reasons it didn't happen was there was no Ozil, there was no Chamberlain and there was no Walcott in the team," he said.

"I think they've been three of the worst culprits for why Arsenal haven't done well. There was a good team spirit about them and a sense of purpose about them that I don't think you can have - and I know Chamberlain's gone to Liverpool but he played quite a while for Arsenal - and I think those three players have been the main culprits in not having the sense of purpose that Arsenal showed last week in the match. 

"There was a team spirit about them and there was a will to do it. That's just your starting point and I don't think they ever had that will with Ozil playing as one of the main players and Chamberlain and Walcott for that matter.

"And in my opinion, over a long period of time that the likes of Walcott, Chamberlain and Ozil in particular don't have a go and that's your starting point."

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