Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain says former Manchester United defender Gary Neville is his favourite pundit despite his recent heavy criticism of the Gunners.
Neville recently said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was “either naive or arrogant” in believing he can win the Premier League title without physical players and hammered the defensive work-rate of Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin.
Despite Neville’s comments, Oxlade-Chamberlain still believes he offers the best football analysis on TV.
He’s my favourite pundit,” the England international is quoted as saying by Daily Star.
“When I watch ‘Monday Night Football’, I always do want to listen to what he has to say and nine times out of 10 I agree with everything he does say.
“If I’ve had a bad game, I know I’ve had a bad game and I don’t mind hearing it.
“I’ve had 15 years of hearing it from my dad! I’m the first one to have a go at myself and then it’s my dad, so if Gary wants to join in, then it’s fine.
“It’s credit to him because obviously it could be a tricky situation where he’s talking about our games on TV and then he comes to work with England.
“But he seems to manage to do it without any of us holding a grudge against him.”
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Neville combines with Sky Sports role with coaching duties with the England national team, and Oxlade-Chamberlain says he is just as honest and insightful in the dressing room as he is on TV.
“He’s honest with us when we’re away with England, what we need to improve on, and I think his career has earned him that respect,” he said.
“If something needs to be said, then it can be said. He’s played with Wayne (Rooney) and some of the more senior players, so they almost take as if they are team-mates.
“He’s nifty in our meetings and analysing other teams and what he has to say in terms of coaching on the pitch is priceless for us.”
England face European minnows San Marino on Saturday, with a win guaranteeing qualification for EURO 2016.
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