Neville praises Wenger's team selection
Gary Neville has praised Arsene Wenger's team selection for Arsenal's goalless draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge saying that it played a key role in Arsenal getting something out of the game.
The former England international was full of praise for the Frenchman's team, comparing the way thet he filled his squad with hard workers to Sir Alex Ferguson's use of Ji-Sung Park and Darren Fletcher in big games.
Sepaking to 'Sky Sports' after the game, Neville said: "Arsene Wenger made a difference. He chose attitude and hard work over talent.
"Iwobi and Welbeck did what Ozil and Sanchez didn't do at Liverpool. They attached themselves to the two central midfielders. When I saw Xhaka and Ramsey in this team today, I thought they would get bulldozed in midfield, however, Iwobi tucked in, making Chelsea go wide and Welbeck did the same on the other side."
Neville invoked the memory of the Romford Pele to explain that sometimes discipline wins big games rather than talent.
"When you think about Ray Parlour and the job he did for Arsenal over the years of course there would have been more talented players than him but he put in the hard work and showed the right attitude," he explained.
"In big matches at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson went with Ji-sung Park and Darren Fletcher, why? Because they were the most talented players at the club? No, but because they needed to show discipline and respect for the opposition.
"Wenger chose a hard-working attitude over talent. They got into the shape and did the job that we've been demanding from them over the last few years.
The former Valencia boss wasn't done there though, lauching into a rant about how Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez should be made to sit down and watch the game back to learn what is needed in a big match.
"It's not difficult and ultimately that video should go to Ozil and Sanchez because they do need to come back in, but if they are not going to do the job required, sit in the stands and let two players with less talent do the job you need to do in a big match," Neville ranted.
"There's no excuse for any player not to work back into a defensive position. The only player I saw have that luxury in 20 years was Cristiano Ronaldo and in big matches he was shoved up front.
"However, he scored 40 goals a season and United were winning things. That's when you can get away with it. Sanchez does normally work hard but Ozil now has no excuse not to get back into his position after seeing that today.
"What Arsenal did today is show some respect at Stamford Bridge and they got the result because of that. I was delighted to see it because we've been crying out for it for many, many months."
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