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Arsenal players blasted for ‘awful’ performance against Watford – ‘Midfield isn’t good enough and defenders aren’t committed’
talkSPORT hosts Alan Brazil and Ian Holloway have blasted Arsenal for their disastrous performance at Watford and have sent a message to Unai Emery over his ‘play it out from the back’ tactics.
The Gunners blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with the Hornets at Vicarage Road on Sunday.
In truth, Unai Emery’s side were second best throughout the game and home fans would have been frustrated their side didn’t actually claim all three points after their impressive second-half rally.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang did his job with two well-taken goals but Arsenal were undone once again at the back, as they were punished twice for defensive mistakes.
Tom Cleverly slammed the ball home after the Gunners lost the ball trying to play it out from the back – again – and Watford claimed a point from the spot after David Luiz gave away his second penalty in three Premier League games.
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And reacting to the game on Monday’s Sports Breakfast, talkSPORT host Brazil said: “Arsenal’s midfield is not good enough, not classy enough.
“They might sneak into fourth place, but no way will they be first, second or third. Not with that midfield, no chance.”
Continuing the theme, former Premier League manager Holloway added: “The balance doesn’t look right.
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“The manager keeps sticking up for Granit Xhaka, but he goes to ground too easily - you’ve got to stay on your feet!
“I don’t think they really want to play it out from the back, I’m not sure they’re really committed to doing it, but if the manager is going to stick with it they’re going to have to.
“But it looks awful!”
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“There are times when you can play out, but when it’s too tight just send it out,” concluded Brazil.
“Knock it into the halfway line and try and find a player's chest or feet.
“It’s ridiculous! It’s just giving the opposition a glorious chance!”
Watch a clip of Alan Brazil and Ian Holloway on talkSPORT above
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