Unai Emery has slammed his side’s inability to cope with Watford’s pressing game in the second half of today’s match.
Arsenal headed into the match in need of a victory after a couple of underwhelming results, and everything was going smoothly when the Gunners headed into the break 2-0 up and in 3rd position in the table, before it all went pear shaped.
Here’s what Emery had to say in his post-match interview, according to the Express.
We couldn’t break their pressing in the second half. They are physical, a very strong team. They pushed for our mistakes, they were playing for our mistakes.
We were scared in the second half. We knew they would come at us and push us hard but we have to show more character and not be scared.
Read Arsenal verdict
Arsenal’s second half all but proved that, although it is extremely early in the season, the Gunners still have a long way to go until they are challenging again, and face an uphill task in just qualifying for the Champions League.
It is rare that you see a match where the team comfortably winning at half time, actually deserved to lose the game; even Emery admitted his side are pleased with a point.
Everyone was happy but we came out and played such a bad second half. You have to say we are happy to take a point
One pleasing aspect for Arsenal is the quality shown once again by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and will be hopefull ahead of the return of Rob Holding and the long-awaited introduction of Kieran Tierney.
Focusing on the here and now, though, it is going to be a difficult week until they go again in Germany in their Europa League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.
