Gary Neville rates Arsenal ‘experiment’ and warns Man Utd ahead of showdown

Gary Neville feels Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal ‘experiment’ is not working but has warned Manchester United to ‘raise their game’ before the two sides meet.

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The Gunners host Erik ten Hag’s team in the Premier League next week following their disappointing 2-2 home draw against 10-man Fulham on Saturday.

United are also looking to improve after some lacklustre performances, eventually beating Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Old Trafford this weekend despite going 2-0 down after just four minutes.

Quizzed about how the two sides compare heading into their upcoming battle, Neville said on his podcast: ‘They’re at different stages.

‘Arsenal are expected to challenge for the league with the business they have done. There’s a lot of pressure on Kai Havertz but give the lad a chance and let him settle into the team.

‘I would say that for me, looking at Arsenal, there is this element of experimentation. Full-backs think they can play midfield, midfielders think they can play at full back.

‘Thomas Partey is playing half-and-half in a game. Sometimes you need to go back to basics.

‘I’d expect next week Mikel Arteta is going to end that experiment and go with a solid back four.

‘Move Partey into midfield with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. Get back to something which resembles what a team should look like.

‘Balance in a team is very important. Innovation is fantastic but sometimes something that started as a good idea evolves into something which doesn’t work.

‘I feel there is that with Arsenal. They’ll go back to the basics of 4-3-3. Manchester United are decent on the counter-attack but it is a big test for them.

‘Their performances so far this season have been below par. If you’re below par at the Emirates you will get beaten.

‘United have to rise and raise their game, but Arsenal need to sort themselves out too.’

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