Gary Neville has hit out again at Arsenal set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, claiming he is βoverreaching his importanceβ with his touchline antics.
Arsenal have enjoyed enormous success from corners and free-kicks over recent seasons with Jover credited with adding a new dimension to Mikel Artetaβs side.
The Gunners profited from his expertise again last night with Declan Riceβs left-wing corner headed goalwards by Gabriel before hitting Spurs striker Dominic Solanke and going in for the equaliser in the North London derby. Arsenal then won it through Leandro Trossardβs goal to move within four points of table-toppers Liverpool.
A deflection from Dominic Solanke following a Gabriel header means Arsenal have equalised in the North London Derby π€©
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β Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 15, 2025
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 exuberance.
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‘The most annoying man in football’
Speaking on Stick to Football, Neville said: βI called him the most annoying man in football. Do you know something? I’m cementing my position, I’m doubling down.
βIt’s offending me every week. I’m going to say this really calmly, I think he’s overreaching his importance.
βIf a goalkeeper makes a good save, I don’t see the goalkeeping coach on the edge of the touchline. I don’t see the other coaches going up and getting the glory for it.
βThe manager is at the front, he can’t communicate from 50 yards away to players who know what they’re doing. I think he’s overreaching his importance, I genuinely believe that.
βI see goalkeeper coaches and brilliant coaches who work on other aspects of the game, I don’t see them pointing to themselves and overreaching their importance.
βThat’s how I feel. I get he’s important and he’s doing a great job but I do genuinely think he needs to sit back a little bit. I think the players will start to look at him as well and think, ‘hang on a minute, come onβ.β
Wright says Neville was being harsh
Nevilleβs co-hosts had differing opinions on that view with Jamie Carragher admitting he βcanβt disagree with it,β while former Arsenal striker Ian Wright felt he was being βvery, very harsh.β
Gabriel also scored the winner as Arsenal won the reverse fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September, after which Arteta hailed Joverβs work.
Asked if Jover was the best in his field, he said: βIn his field, in other fields and as a person. And the relationship that we have β thatβs why I made the decision to bring him to [Manchester] City when I was there and then to Arsenal.
βHim and the rest of the staff have injected the belief to the players that there are many ways to win football matches. This is a really powerful one and he has given us a lot. So a big Βcompliment to all of them.β