Watford came from two goals down to draw with Arsenal at Vicarage Road as Unai Emery was heavily blamed for his lack of clear tactics.
Arsenal fans would have been forgiven to think a victory would have been a walk in the park for their side against Watford. They could not be blamed because at the end of the first half, with a two-goal lead, Arsenal dominated proceedings. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored two goals in the space of 8 minutes in the first half to put Arsenal in a comfortable position.
The appalling thing was Arsenal’s defence in the second period, which conceded 31 shots in the entire game. Arsenal have never conceded these many in their Premier League history.
A terrible mistake from Sokratis gifted Tom Cleverley a clear shot on goal, and the former Manchester United man took with aplomb. Then it was Sokratis’ defensive partner, David Luiz, who conceded a late penalty to let Watford back in the game as Roberto Pereyra converted from 12 yards.
As usual, Arsenal fans on Twitter were furious. Despite many such bad performances last season, Emery never really came in for heavy criticism, but not this time. The reactions revolved heavily around the manager as many called for his sacking in the aftermath of this terrible game.
If Emery continues playing like this, he won't survive!
— Job Masika (@jobmasika) September 15, 2019
If Emery gets sacked soon. He well and truly deserves it because wtf
— A.K.A Chukwu (@chuchu_1298) September 15, 2019
Maybe the only decent center back arsenal has is Rob holding.
Want to totally blame emery, but I just can't do that as he basically has no decent center back.
When Kieran Tierney is back, maybe we can Going back to back three again with him on the left ???
— Fahmie Rahman (@fahmieoracle) September 15, 2019
I need to know what was going through Emery's mind when he subbed Ozil, Ceballos and Guendouzi to bring in those premature idiots
Emery out!!— Lamarr ❁ (@Kinglamar___) September 15, 2019
Not changing the manager will see players like Aubameyang and Lacazette leave the club in pursuit of trophies that they won't get at Arsenal if Emery isn't sacked.
— Henry Dick Gombya (@HGombya) September 15, 2019
A coach that couldn't do anything special with Neymar and Mbappe at PSG, what were you expecting him to do with the likes of Aubameyang and Lacazette?
Emery Ogun Will Punish you— Ramos?? (@Iamjesse3) September 15, 2019
For once I agree with the nbcsn guys. Emery needs to adapt and not be so stubborn with his game plans. That’s poor coaching. The substitutions were completely wrong. And Xhaka is not captain material at all. #WATARS
— Gaële (@goonergael) September 15, 2019
As I left the ground some bloke talking about how he ‘wouldn’t let his under 8 team play out from the back like that’ – incredible how a plumber knows better than Unai Emery.
— DHammy1971 (@DHammy1971) September 15, 2019
Removing dani, geoundozi was s massive mistake by unai emery
— KEVY DA DON ® (@_1KV_) September 15, 2019
We faced a shot every 2mins against the team bottom of the league.
You want to tell me Emery is taking us forward?
We've gone backwards. If you can't see that you're mental.
— Kev (@GarrulousGooner) September 15, 2019
Then it was a typical attack on Arsenal’s overall performance. Fans cannot be blamed if their team performed in the way Arsenal did against Watford. So by all accounts, these criticisms were deserved.
Arsenal didn't even play with any tactics.
The tactics FT fans complain of is ultra defending aka park the bus yet arsenal couldn't.
No plan to win at all
— dhEEyoUR (@pelmzy4real) September 15, 2019
I think the best approach to watching Arsenal is to expect us to lose every time.
— Gini (@giniekay) September 15, 2019
New Era
New Manager
New Season
Couple of New Signings
So called New Ambitions
A Changed leadership
Same old Arsenal#WATARS— Osagie (@IAmSamiDLowkei) September 15, 2019
Arsenal is the one team who can lose points from any situation. Hats off to you ??
This time against Watford. #WATARS— Utkarsh Minhas (@maverick_ut7) September 15, 2019
