Jump directly to the content
Exclusive
Gunners blunder pressure

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry insists Granit Xhaka was not the only player at fault in Watford defeat

The Gunners lost 2-1 to Watford in injury time at Vicarage Road last week, as they suffered their third away Premier League defeat of the season

GRANIT XHAKA got a lot of stick for Watford’s late winner against Arsenal last weekend.

But the midfielder’s role in the goal was only the end of the movie. There was a lot more to the storyline before that.

 Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka has come under fans and pundits for allowing Tom Cleverley to score the winner for Watford against Arsenal last week
7
Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka has come under fans and pundits for allowing Tom Cleverley to score the winner for Watford against Arsenal last weekCredit: Rex Features
 The 25-year-old has a pick of his nose while allowing Tom Cleverley to stand unmarked in the area
7
The 25-year-old has a pick of his nose while allowing Tom Cleverley to stand unmarked in the areaCredit: Twitter@Crxiq

There were five or six individual defensive errors committed before Xhaka was slow to react on the edge of the box, allowing Tom Cleverley to nip in ahead of him and slam home for Watford.

We can go through them. This isn’t to single people out or to apportion blame. But simply to point out that Arsenal’s defensive issues are a collective problem - and that hammering Xhaka is not the solution.

Watford’s attack starts with Abdoulaye Doucoure in the centre of the pitch, playing the ball back to right-back Kiko Femenia.

Now, Mesut Ozil is next to Doucoure but after that pass, he wanders off upfield. And remember, this is the 92nd minute, away from home and a point is not too bad.

 Gunners legend Thierry Henry has named fix or six errors that contributed to Arsenal's defeat at Vicarage Road
7
Gunners legend Thierry Henry has named fix or six errors that contributed to Arsenal's defeat at Vicarage RoadCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Former Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil has often been criticised for failing to help the team defensively
7
Former Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil has often been criticised for failing to help the team defensivelyCredit: Rex Features

The ball’s then pumped towards Arsenal’s box. Rob Holding wins the header under pressure from Cleverley and it drops to Doucoure.

Ozil now tries to track back to where he was, but it’s too late.

If he had stayed in the first place, rather than seeking a counter-attack without Arsenal ever winning the ball back, he can intercept that header. ATTACK OVER.

Then, as Jose Holebas lines up to shoot from distance, Nacho Monreal takes three steps forward to the edge of the 18-yard box, playing a high line.

Per Mertesacker could move up with him. If he does, Troy Deeney’s either offside as the shot comes in (ATTACK OVER) or has to follow Per back to stay onside. ATTACK OVER.

Then, as the shot comes in, Per drops three steps. This allows Deeney to get in the face of Petr Cech.

It upsets the keeper, who spills the ball - otherwise: ATTACK OVER. Then, when the shot comes back out off Cech, Holding could react but Etienne Capoue, two metres behind, gets ahead of him and shoots.

If Holding reacts quicker: ATTACK OVER.

 Troy Deeney blasted Arsenal's weak flops after Watford came from behind for the win
7
Troy Deeney blasted Arsenal's weak flops after Watford came from behind for the winCredit: Reuters

Mertesacker blocks and it breaks to Cleverley and, as we’ve said, Xhaka was slow to react. Otherwise: ATTACK OVER.

There were too many Arsenal players not sensing danger, too many with the wrong mindset.

It’s a team problem not an individual one. The goal was the snowball effect of lots of errors.

Look, this all happened in two seconds. Mistakes happen - or no one would ever score!

That’s why you need to be well-drilled in training so if you lose the ball, or you are in certain situations, your instincts kick in, telling you where to be.

 World Cup winner Per Mertesacker netted against Watford, but couldn't stop the Hornets from scoring late on
7
World Cup winner Per Mertesacker netted against Watford, but couldn't stop the Hornets from scoring late onCredit: Rex Features
Watford 2-1 Arsenal: Tom Cleverley scores late winner to deny Gunners important victory at Vicarage Road

I don’t know what Arsenal work on at the training ground - I’m not there. But I’m sure they have discussed it.

These guys are World Cup winners, long-time internationals.

We’re only eight games in but Arsenal need to sort out their defending as soon as possible.

They’ve shipped seven goals on the road already and scored only one - a header at a corner!

That’s very unlike Arsenal.

They have Everton at Goodison today and there will be spells when they are under pressure. They need to stand firm.

 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is already under pressure from fans after his side lost their third away match of the seaosn
7
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is already under pressure from fans after his side lost their third away match of the seaosnCredit: PA:Press Association

Arsenal can defend properly as a team. They did so against Chelsea.

But we need to see that more often.

There are different ways to control games. When I was at Barcelona, Pep Guardiola liked to control the big games by having the ball.

Jose Mourinho said he controlled last week’s draw at Liverpool - even though Manchester United gave up possession.

Arsenal need to get that control back and today is a good time to start.

Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech shows off his incredible reactions in Ping Pong based training drill
Topics