Gary Neville has labelled Mikel Arteta's trusted ally 'a nuisance' following Arsenal's impressive performance against Tottenham. The former Manchester United defender praised Arsenal's set-piece coach Nicolas Jover after the Gunners took an early lead in Sunday's North London Derby.
Arsenal entered the match with a clear intention to put pressure on Manchester City, who faced struggling Nottingham Forest later in the day Arteta was seen jumping for joy on the sidelines when a well-executed set-piece led to the opening goal in the first half.
Bukayo Saka's cunning delivery was inadvertently deflected past his own goalkeeper by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the 15th minute, triggering ecstatic celebrations from the Arsenal bench. Amidst the jubilation, Neville quickly acknowledged Jover, dubbing the set-piece coach «a little nuisance».
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The Sky Sports commentator remarked: «They've got the first goal, Arsenal, and it has been the same Arsenal set-up all year, and it's been good all year. „Ben White the nuisance, the five big lads at the back getting across that near-post and [Takehiro] Tomiyasu does just enough.“
»He just blocks Hojbjerg and he can't get a full head on it. He just glances it and the goalkeeper, Vicario, it's past him in a flash. He's no chance," Neville added, as reported by the Mirror. «Arteta jumps up and there he is, the set-piece coach. He's a little nuisance that set-piece coach, but he's damn good! ».
The day only improved for Arteta and his team when Saka doubled Arsenal's lead with a signature finish following a quick counter-attack. Jover would receive praise
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