Charlie Nicholas heaps criticism on Arsenal duo for leaving Leno vulnerable.
Former Arsenal ace Charlie Nicholas has left nothing behind as he slammed Arsenal duo David Luiz and Sokratis. The duo’s performances in front of Bernd Leno this season have not impressed the Sky Sports pundit.
The former Gunner also slammed Unai Emery for still keeping Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin out of the team.
According to him, Leno is still quite young even though he is a good goalkeeper and expects the experienced duo of Luiz and Sokratis to help make his work easier, but they haven’t been able to do that so far.
The Gunners were close to losing their second consecutive game when Vitoria Guimaraes twice took the lead at the Emirates on Thursday. Two stunning free-kicks from substitute Nicolas Pepe was able to help turn the game on its head.
Nicholas is particularly worried ahead of the Arsenal game against Crystal Palace this weekend.
‘Why have they paid the money for Kieran Tierney and are not playing him, despite getting him fit? Why are you not playing Hector Bellerin when fit?
‘I do not understand why he gets these players fit and he doesn’t play them. ‘Bernd Leno makes some mistakes and is young. But he is left completely and utterly isolated by the lack of a defensive partnership. I feel sorry for him.
‘David Luiz and Sokratis Papastathopoulos high five each other when they give corners away.’
The last time Arsenal faced Palace, it ended in a 3-2 win for the visitors with Wilfried Zaha stealing the headlines.