WATFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal (14) celebrates as he scores his team's second goal with Ainsley Maitland-Niles during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on September 15, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Arsenal Vs Watford: 5 things we learned – Unai Emery has questions to answer
WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal (14) celebrates as he scores his team’s second goal with Ainsley Maitland-Niles during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on September 15, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Arsenal returned to Premier League duties at the weekend with a trip to Watford. Here are five things we learned from the 2-2 draw.
Arsenal do what Arsenal do. After snatching two first-half goals thanks to the prolific Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Gunners capitulated under the pressure that Watford exerted on them. They lacked composure and conviction, they were set up poorly by Unai Emery, and they executed the gameplan riddled with mistakes. This was a terrible performance, and in the end, they were lucky to draw.
Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Unai Emery out?
Here are three things we learned from the 2-2 draw.
WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal (14) scores his team’s first goal past Ben Foster of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on September 15, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
5. World-class Aubameyang
If there was a positive from this performance, it was that of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who continues to prove that he is a world-class goalscorer with a natural eye for goal and nose for danger.
His first goal was a terrific strike. Spinning on his first touch, he teed himself up on the edge of the penalty area, and intuitively prodded his finish past Ben Foster at the near post. It was a clinical finish from a world-class goalscorer.
His second was somewhat more simple, merely tapping home at the far post. But the movement and anticipation to sniff out the chance for an easy goal are what makes Aubameyang such a prolific goalscorer. He scores tonnes of tap-ins. That is not just luck, it is positioning, awareness, and a knack for danger. Aubameyang really is a tremendous goal scorer.
Arsenal do what Arsenal do. After snatching two first-half goals thanks to the prolific Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Gunners capitulated under the pressure that Watford exerted on them. They lacked composure and conviction, they were set up poorly by Unai Emery, and they executed the gameplan riddled with mistakes. This was a terrible performance, and in the end, they were lucky to draw.</p>
<h2><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-unai-emery-questions-answer/"https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/pain-in-the-arsenal-podcast-on-arsenal-fc/id1314514440?ign-mpt=uo%3D4%26amp%3Buo%3D4&mt=2%22>Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Unai Emery out?</a></h2>
<p>Here are three things we learned from<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-unai-emery-questions-answer/"https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/49210190"> the 2-2 draw</a>.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-92689 aligncenter" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-unai-emery-questions-answer/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1174840405-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"></p>
<p>WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal (14) scores his team’s first goal past Ben Foster of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on September 15, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</p>
<h4>5. World-class Aubameyang</h4>
<p>If there was a positive from this performance, it was that of<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-unai-emery-questions-answer/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=pierre-emerick+aubameyang%22> Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang</a>, who continues to prove that he is a world-class goalscorer with a natural eye for goal and nose for danger.</p>
<p>His first goal was a terrific strike. Spinning on his first touch, he teed himself up on the edge of the penalty area, and intuitively prodded his finish past Ben Foster at the near post. It was a clinical finish from a world-class goalscorer.</p>
<p>His second was somewhat more simple, merely tapping home at the far post. But the movement and anticipation to sniff out the chance for an easy goal are what makes Aubameyang such a prolific goalscorer. He scores tonnes of tap-ins. That is not just luck, it is positioning, awareness, and a knack for danger. Aubameyang really is a tremendous goal scorer.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-unai-emery-questions-answer/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4. Lacazette sorely missed </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-92140" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-unai-emery-questions-answer/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2019%2F09%2F1171600542-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Alexandre Lacazette" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his teams first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on September 01, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>4. Lacazette sorely missed</h4>
<p>Arsenal’s greatest issues came from their inability to control the match through protecting possession in good areas of the pitch. They played out from the back poorly, unable to progress high up the pitch, they allowed Watford to dictate the match, especially in the second half, and they crumbled defensively because of the pressure they were under.</p>
<p>There are lots of reasons for this, but one key one is the absence of <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-unai-emery-questions-answer/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=alexandre+lacazette%22>Alexandre Lacazette</a>. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was terrific in his goalscoring, but his all-around play was again lacking, unable to protect the ball with his back to the goal. Nicolas Pepe, similarly, was quiet throughout, while the team lacked a focal point to play off.</p>
<p>Lacazette excels with his back to the goal. He has a brilliant first touch, he is strong on the ball, he has good vision and awareness to pick out teammates and play forwards. This is the exactly the type of player Arsenal needed. They invited pressure onto themselves because they could not hold the ball up, and Lacazette sat on the sidelines did not help.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-unai-emery-questions-answer/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3. Stop the narrow diamond </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-92687" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-unai-emery-questions-answer/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1174833444-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal arrives prior to the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on September 15, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>3. Stop the narrow diamond</h4>
<p>Three weekends ago,<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-unai-emery-questions-answer/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=unai+emery%22> Unai Emery</a> employed a narrow 4-4-2 diamond when he took his side to Anfield to face an excellent Liverpool. His thinking was clear, and sound: compact central areas, sit deep, and defend the bombardment of crosses. For the most part, it worked.</p>
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<p>This was Emery adapting to the opposition, knowing how dangerous they were and recognising that he had to change his set-up to cope with their threat. Watford are no Liverpool. This was a game in which Arsenal could impress themselves on their opponents, not the other way around, and the narrow diamond does not allow you to do that.</p>
<p>The lack of width was painfully problematic for the Gunners. In an offensive sense, it made them predictable (and easy to press, with the pitch made small as a result of the position of the passing options). They had little space to work in and could not isolate Watford defenders. Defensively, Watford could break through the press with ease, the two full-backs are consistent outlet with no winger to track them.</p>
<p>Using this type of shape against a team of Liverpool’s calibre makes sense. Arsenal have to adapt to that type of opposition. But this was a chance for Arsenal to dictate play and Emery did not free his team up to do so.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-unai-emery-questions-answer/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. Playing out from the back </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Etienne Capoue of Watford and Matteo Guendouzi battle for the ball during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on September 15, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>2. Playing out from the back</h4>
<p>Unai Emery is keen for his team to play out from the back. He has been from the very moment he stepped through the Emirates door. Even with an uncomfortable Petr Cech between the sticks, Emery still insisted that his team played out from deep areas, even when under pressure. And Arsenal played in that manner once again here.</p>
<p>Now, I have no problem with playing out from the back. The control it exerts is imperative in the modern game. But it must be done smartly, effectively, and with timing and cohesion. Arsenal lack almost all of these things, and their playing out from the back suffered greatly as a result. Tom Cleverly’s goal stemmed directly from an Arsenal goal kick, and it was far from the first time that they conceded chances from such situations.</p>
<p>I will not overly criticise Emery for implementing this tactic. It is a smart, long-term process to employ. But sometimes, playing accurate, long passes is no bad thing. Even Manchester City and Ederson go long when they need to. With two strikers, Arsenal needed to go long more frequently. They invited pressure, and it cost them.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Roberto Pereyra of Watford celebrates as he scores his team’s second goal from a penalty with Kiko Femenia during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on September 15, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>1. This isn’t very good</h4>
<p>Arsenal were rubbish. They were fortunate to score the first. They then capitalised on a Watford lull to snatch the second. And then floundered after the break, allowing Watford to fight back into the match. And quite frankly, they were very lucky to draw.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>Watford had 31 attempts. Thart is the most they have ever had in a Premier League game. It is the most Arsenal have ever conceded in a game. 10 of them were on target. Bernd Leno made eight saves. Watford had 48 touches in the opposition penalty area, three times the number of Arsenal. Their expected goals were 2.74. Arsenal’s was 0.82. Arsenal have now conceded 96 shots this season, more than any other team in the Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1 and the Bundlesiga.</p>
<p>This was a pummelling. At Watford. After spending the best part of £150 million in the summer, ridding of the players Unai Emery did not want and now assembling a team that allows him to play in the manner that he wants.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Arsenal Vs Watford: Player ratings" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-vs-watford-player-wrong/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-unai-emery-questions-answer/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-vs-watford-player-wrong/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Arsenal Vs Watford: Player ratings </a> </div>
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<p>The Unai Emery project is not going very well. The performances have been very poor, despite good results. The personnel has been improved without much effect. There is no identity. The mistakes are still plentiful. This is not very good, and questions must be asked.</p><!—pageview_candidate—></p>">
