Gary Neville has slammed David Luiz for a “ridiculous” challenge on N’Golo Kante during Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.
The Gunners’ centre-back narrowly avoided Kante’s head with his boot as he recklessly followed-through after clearing the ball downfield.
Referee Craig Pawson appeared to have a clear view of the incident but chose not to punish Luiz, despite being questioned by Kante over the decision.
Neville was left baffled by the rash nature of the challenge and felt that the Brazilian could have even received a red card.
“I have to say that’s unorthodox and stupid from David Luiz,” said the former Manchester United defender while commentating on the match for Sky Sports (via Metro ).
(Image: Canal+)
“He just follows through ridiculously, I’m not sure he makes contact but what is he doing?
“It’s a ridiculous thing to do, he’s played so well, the team have played so well, then you see that.
“You think about what [Heung-min] Son got sent off for in the game against Chelsea last week then you see that.
“That’s just ridiculous, look at Kante, he looks towards the referee and says, ‘you gonna allow that?’.”
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
Luiz left Chelsea in an £8million deal over the summer but was unable to help Arsenal to victory over his former club at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta looked on course to pick up his first win as Gunners’ manager when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his 13th league goal of the season early in the first half.
However, the Spaniard saw his side fall apart in the final ten minutes of the match, with Jorginho and Tammy Abraham finding the net to complete a comeback for Frank Lampard’s side.
The result put another dent in Arsenal’s top four hopes, with Arteta’s side 12th in the Premier League and 11 points behind Chelsea ahead of their meeting Manchester United on New Year’s Day.
