Vincent Kompany leaves Gary Neville with egg on his face over Arsenal comments

Vincent Kompany, the manager of Burnley, praised Arsenal’s set-play threat one week after Gary Neville criticized Arsenal’s set-piece instructor Nicolas Jover.

Vincent Kompany maintained that Arsenal’s set-pieces are among the finest in the Premier League, following Saturday’s humiliation of his Burnley side by Arsenal.

Company’s underperforming squad was defeated 3-1 at the Emirates on the scoreboard by Leandro Trossard, William Saliba, and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Two of those goals originated from set-plays, an aspect of Arsenal’s style of play that Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville recently criticized.

Last week, following Arsenal’s match against Newcastle, he also criticized the touchline conduct of Arsenal’s set-piece instructor, Nicolas Jover. Neville stated, “The situation was beyond my comprehension. The set-piece coach in Jover was also driving me insane.”

“He was yelling uncontrollably as if he were the manager.” I am uncertain whether that is helpful. He continues to yell at Trossard, who was stealing the set pieces… You’ve instructed him three to four times and reviewed the procedure with him throughout the week; it’s posted on the board in the locker room prior to the game; and he is aware of the procedure.

“From my perspective, it appeared that he was increasing the pressure on Trossard to take corners, which, in all honesty, Trossard failed to do so due to his dismal corner performance.”

Last week at St. James’ Park, Neville was unimpressed with Jover and Arsenal’s set-plays. However, Kompany was eager to praise the Gunners’ quality work in deadball situations against his side.

“Even against a top team, I believe it will make us more vigilant and cognizant of the dangers inherent in this league’s caliber,” he stated. Arsenal deserves some recognition as well; this is no mere coincidence.

“Teams with high possession that operate in close proximity to your box generate set pieces as a result; these set pieces can be quite dangerous.” Despite the fact that you must contend with them, they are among the league’s finest at doing so. I believe they are the greatest team when it comes to set plays.

“They continue to test you.” It is set plays when neither the middle nor the attempts they have on target succeed. “The best will put you to the test in every way; this serves as a reminder to us to remain alert and active in all that we do.”

Since 2021, when he accompanied Mikel Arteta from Manchester City to Arsenal, Jover has rapidly integrated himself into the staff of the Spaniard. Furthermore, his proclivity for accompanying the Gunners No. 1 in wild celebrations on the touchline has not gone unnoticed.

Earlier this season, Jover was implicated in the altercation between Erling Haaland and Kyle Walker at the Emirates, which occurred when the former declined his offer of a handshake after Arsenal defeated the reigning champions 1-0.