Neville brutally blasts Paqueta with one-word verdict in West Ham loss v Arsenal

Gary Neville has blasted "lazy" Lucas Paqueta after the Brazilian gave away a penalty as West Ham United lost 5-2 to Arsenal.

The Gunners led 2-0 when the midfielder caught Bukayo Saka in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot straight away.

Martin Odegaard dispatched the spot kick and the Hammers were down 3-0 just 34 minutes into the first half.

Neville did not mince his words when criticising the 27-year-old for the poorly-timed tackle live on Sky Sports [30 November, 18:03], saying: "Paqueta had a waft, a lazy waft.

"He's never really going to be able to shift his feet quick enough.

"I've got very little sympathy for players who make that type of challenge."

Not what Julen Lopetegui and West Ham need right now

The last thing that Julen Lopetegui needs is players giving away needless penalties with the relentless pressure currently upon him.

The victory over Newcastle relieved some of that but the performance in the first 45 minutes was unacceptable, notwithstanding the mini-fightback in the latter stages of the half.

Paqueta giving away a penalty was not the most problematic part of the Hammers performance but it did not help.

Arsenal would end the half 5-2 ahead as the Irons gave away another penalty when Lukasz Fabianski punched Gabriel when going for the ball and Saka converted from the spot.

That was not what Lopetegui needs if he is to save his job in the dugout at the London Stadium.

In other West Ham news, one stalwart could be set for a London Stadium exit in the coming weeks.

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