Gary Neville has claimed that Dele Alli ‘needs to sort himself out’ after being hauled off at half-time during the North London Derby defeat to Arsenal.
The Gunners beat Spurs 3-1 on Sunday after racing to a 3-0 lead in the first 45 minutes at the Emirates Stadium.
Heung-min Son registered what was a conciliation in the second period for Spurs, as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side fell to a third successive Premier League defeat.
The game was all but decided in the first half, which saw Spurs’ midfield three completely decimated by a dogged Arsenal side looking to prove a point.
Head coach Nuno has found a new position for Alli in that aforementioned three this season after the 25-year-old recently endured a campaign to forget.
He showed promise in the side’s opening fixtures against Manchester City and Wolves, but recent performances have shown signs of struggle, which was epitomised in the derby clash at the weekend.
Alli was taken off at half-time with Spurs looking to chase the game, and Neville believes he looks ‘a shadow of what he was’ in terms of his application and work rate.
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The former Manchester United defender also issued a warning to Gunners starlets Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, urging them to look at Alli’s situation as one to avoid.
Neville said on Sky Sports: “Smith Rowe and Saka have been a joy. Everything Tottenham didn’t have, those two had in abundance.
“But if they want a warning sign they should look at Dele Alli. I had him with England three or four years ago and l would have said that he would go on to become one of the top midfielders this country has produced.
“He had everything. And now look at him. He was subbed at half-time (v Arsenal) and he’s a shadow of what he was in terms of application and work ethic.
“I said last year he needed a shock, but he needs to sort himself out, and I love him as a kid.”
Spurs Web Opinion
It has been a mixed start to the season for Alli, who has been moved slightly deeper to try and rediscover his past form.
The performance from him and the entire team against Arsenal was poor, but Nuno may have to go back to basics and revert him to his role behind the striker to get him going again.
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