Arsene Wenger reignites war of words with La liga manager

Valencia coach Garry Neville

“When you are not a big name you have first to battle. That is a disadvantage because you do not start as high. But, on the other hand, you learn your job"

Arsene Wenger believes Gary Neville is paying the price for his inexperience.

Neville is fighting to save his job as Valencia coach with Saturday’s trip to Real Betis a critical test for him.

And the Arsenal boss thinks Neville, and the likes of Pep Guardiola, have missed a vital part of their education by being fast-tracked into top jobs.

Wenger said: “I believe that most of the time the reputation of a big player gets you a big club early.

“You gain a few years. You do not start at Fleetwood. When you are Pep Guardiola you start at Barcelona.

“When you are not a big name you have first to battle. That is a disadvantage because you do not start as high. But, on the other hand, you learn your job.

“I believe experience plays a big part when you don’t start well. When you have a difficult start you have no credibility through your history because you haven’t shown you can do it.

“So it becomes more difficult when you have a bad start. At some stage, if you have a good team, they always find their way. I think Valencia will get out of it.”

Arsenal travel to Bournemouth on Saturday managed by Eddie Howe, a young boss who has followed Wenger’s blueprint.

He claims the Cherries will stay up under Howe because they are a team “of substance.”

But Arsenal desperately need a result because they have not won in four Premier League matches and three games without a goal is their worst run since 2009.

But despite Arsenal’s faltering strikers, Wenger claimed he would not sign a new striker in the summer.

He explained: “I don’t see many strikers on the market who are better than ours.

“I will remind you on the last day of the summer window, Manchester United bought Anthony Martial for a huge amount of money. That means they looked everywhere too.”