Arsenal manager Unai Emery greets team-mate Dani Ceballos as he is substituted off during the Premier League match at Vicarage Road, Watford. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)
Arsenal were not themselves this afternoon…
Arsenal faced a visit to Vicarage Road in the Premier League this afternoon. They headed into the match full of confidence and refreshed following the international break. However, an out-of-form Watford side were not there to be taken lightly.
The Gunners got off to a shaky start as they invited pressure. Bernd Leno was called into action early on. However, against the run of play, Sead Kolasinac snatched the ball and ran an impressive distance unchallenged, before slotting the ball invitingly for Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang.
This gave the Gunners plenty of confidence and they capitalised by scoring another. Ainsley Maitland-Niles played a simple pass into Aubameyang who yet again found the back of the net.
Things looked good up until the second half for Arsenal. Then, they made two costly errors. The first came when Sokratis laid it on a plate for Gerard Deulofeu, who then passed to Tom Cleverley for the goal. Then, David Luiz gave away a silly penalty which was scored by Roberto Pereyra.
Here’s how the Arsenal players performed on a miserable afternoon…
Bernd Leno – 5/10
Unfortunately, Leno was the liveliest goalkeeper of the two. He was called into action early on following a flurry of Watford attacks. He managed to see them all out in the first half but failed to do so in the second half. It’s also worth noting that he saved Arsenal a point towards the end of the game when he prevented a counter-attack.
In fairness, there was not much that he could do about the two goals. They both stemmed from individual, costly errors from either centre back. He rarely took a proper goal kick but this was him simply following Emery’s persistence to play out from the back.
Dani Ceballos</a> as he is substituted off during the Premier League match at Vicarage Road, Watford. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Arsenal were not themselves this afternoon…</h2>
<p>Arsenal faced a visit to Vicarage Road in the Premier League this afternoon. They headed into the match full of confidence and refreshed following the international break. However, an out-of-form Watford side were not there to be taken lightly.</p>
<p>The Gunners got off to a shaky start as they invited pressure. <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/2628fd2b/Bernd-Leno?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Bernd Leno</a> was called into action early on. However, against the run of play, <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/3935e52e/Sead-Kolasinac?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Sead Kolasinac</a> snatched the ball and ran an impressive distance unchallenged, before slotting the ball invitingly for Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang.</p>
<p>This gave the Gunners plenty of confidence and they capitalised by scoring another. <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/e3a5814e/Ainsley-Maitland-Niles?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Ainsley Maitland-Niles</a> played a simple pass into Aubameyang who yet again found the back of the net.</p>
<p>Things looked good up until the second half for Arsenal. Then, they made two costly errors. The first came when Sokratis laid it on a plate for <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/39583cfd/Gerard-Deulofeu?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Gerard Deulofeu</a>, who then passed to <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/6cdd8245/Tom-Cleverley?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Tom Cleverley</a> for the goal. Then, <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/c0e27d1a/David-Luiz?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>David Luiz</a> gave away a silly penalty which was scored by <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/75f2c59f/Roberto-Pereyra?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Roberto Pereyra</a>.</p>
<p>Here’s how the Arsenal players performed on a miserable afternoon…</p>
<h3>Bernd Leno – 5/10</h3>
<p>Unfortunately, Leno was the liveliest goalkeeper of the two. He was called into action early on following a flurry of Watford attacks. He managed to see them all out in the first half but failed to do so in the second half. It’s also worth noting that he saved Arsenal a point towards the end of the game when he prevented a counter-attack.</p>
<p>In fairness, there was not much that he could do about the two goals. They both stemmed from individual, costly errors from either centre back. He rarely took a proper goal kick but this was him simply following Emery’s persistence to play out from the back.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Defenders - Both centre backs were liabilities </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-473850" src=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1174852602-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: Roberto Pereyra of Watford and David Luiz of Arsenal in discussion after 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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<h3>Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 4/10</h3>
<p>Maitland-Niles was simply poor today. There is no other explanation for it; do not be fooled by his assist. He is usually composed on the ball but today he misplaced a lot of passes. This included one which could have been costly towards the end of the game when Watford were seeking a winner.</p>
<p>Improvement needs to be made, especially considering <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/f874dd44/Hector-Bellerin?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Hector Bellerin</a> is nearing his comeback.</p>
<h3>David Luiz – 4/10</h3>
<p>The Brazilian was bought in to save Arsenal points, not cost them. He put in a dreadful challenge towards the end of the game inside the box, gifting the Hornets a penalty. He played a few good balls out from the back but this does not excuse his costly mistake.</p>
<h3>Sokratis Papastathopolous – 4/10</h3>
<p>Usually, Sokaratis is very reliable in a number of different situations. However, this new style of playing out from the back does not seem to suit the Greece international. He gifted the ball on a plate for Tom Cleverley to pounce, setting the Gunners up for a miserable second half.</p>
<h3>Sead Kolasinac – 6/10</h3>
<p>Kolasinac was the best of Arsenal’s defenders but that’s only because he rarely played in the defensive third. He made a goal out of nothing by making progress forward and laying the ball on a plate to <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/d5dd5f1f/Pierre-Emerick-Aubameyang?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang</a>. He was very good at winning back possession in advanced positions, showing that he can easily replace <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/d4cb83cc/Nacho-Monreal?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Nacho Monreal</a>.</p>
<p>As <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/fce2302c/Kieran-Tierney?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Kieran Tierney</a> nears full fitness, Kolasinac will hope for more performances like today. Although, he will also be hoping that Arsenal can improve their results in turn.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Midfielders - Xhaka was not on top form again </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/5acc4a10/Etienne-Capoue?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Etienne Capoue</a> of Watford battles with <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/e61b8aee/Granit-Xhaka?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Granit Xhaka</a> of Arsenal 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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<h3>Granit Xhaka – 3/10</h3>
<p>Poor. I have no other words to describe Xhaka’s performance but poor. While he did play a few good passes in the second half, he failed to step up when Arsenal needed him most.</p>
<p>He had a chance to put Arsenal ahead again in the final few minutes but his first touch let him down and the ball fizzled out of play. He also misplaced what is usually a simple pass for him, only gifting Watford another chance to play on the counter.</p>
<p>His Arsenal career seems to be long gone and it’s about time that Unai Emery considered other options in the midfield.</p>
<h3><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/5ea8ef20/Matteo-Guendouzi?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Matteo Guendouzi</a> – 5/10</h3>
<p>Guendouzi can have mixed emotions about his performance. He played a few wayward passes which could have easily proven costly. However, he was also fairly positive on the attacking front. He is still learning so he can take today’s performance as a learning curve. He was rightfully substituted for <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/52611641/Lucas-Torreira?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Lucas Torreira</a> to add more stability in the midfield.</p>
<h3>Dani Ceballos – 6/10</h3>
<p>Ceballos was taken off after Watford scored their first goal. this was a good decision by Unai Emery since he knew the game would take a more rough and rigid approach which Ceballos does not suit.</p>
<p>When he was on the pitch, he was lively and always looked to play on the front foot. He acted as Emery’s highest-playing midfielder and he looked to create a few chances for the attackers. It was also nice to see him linking up with <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/16380240/Mesut-Ozil?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Mesut Ozil</a>.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Attackers - Aubameyang was Arsenal's diamond in the rough </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 15: (R) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring the 2nd Arsenal 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 Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/57e3f0c7/Nicolas-Pepe?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Nicolas Pepe</a> – 7/10</h3>
<p>Pepe was lively as ever. He looked to get forward as much as possible and he was comfortable with the ball at his feet. He failed to make a goal or assist but he was always creating chances, whether for himself or his attacking counterparts.</p>
<p>His end product is often put into question but he showed signs of fixing this today. He just needs to get his first goal in Arsenal colours in order to improve his confidence.</p>
<h3>Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 8/10</h3>
<p>The Gabon international can have no complaints about his performance. He got Arsenal off to the right start by scoring against the run of play. He then extended the lead and made it seem like the game was the away side’s to win.</p>
<p>Not only did he complete two impressive finishes but he also linked up well with the likes of Pepe and Ozil. It was a well-rounded performance from Aubameyang, it’s just a shame the scoreline didn’t do his performance any justice.</p>
<h3>Mesut Ozil – 6.5/10</h3>
<p>Ozil put in a good shift. He was bound to have a lot of scrutiny around his performance since it was the first of an important season for him.</p>
<p>He played well and looked comfortable with the ball at his feet. He made a few good touches and his creative prowess flowed naturally. He played an excellent pass into Maitland-Niles to make the assist for Aubameyang’s second. He’s getting back into things but hopefully, some good can come out of Lacazette’s injury in terms of getting Ozil back into the starting eleven.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Substitutes - Unai Emery made all the wrong decisions </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Arsenal’s Joe Willock (left) and Watford’s <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/3e9e06cb/Craig-Dawson?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Craig Dawson</a> battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Vicarage Road, Watford. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Joe Willock – 5/10</h3>
<p>Joe Willock definitely made an impact when he came on and it did look like he would be the man to secure the win for Arsenal at one point. He made a terrific run, beating multiple Watford defenders. However, he failed to play the pass in time to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who was in acres of space.</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>It was selfish play from the youngster but he will surely learn from it. Emery put a lot of faith in him bringing him on given the circumstances. That said, Willock shouldn’t be too devastated about his mistake.</p>
<h3>Lucas Torreira – 4/10</h3>
<p>He was brought on to add stability in the midfield. However, he failed to do that. In fact, Watford seemed to have an easier time breaking forward with Torreira on the pitch.</p>
<p>This was simply a one-off though since he is often reliable in the heart of the midfield. I suspect that the Argentine will have more chances to prove himself in the starting eleven now that starting Granit Xhaka is becoming hard to justify.</p>
<h3><a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/c5bdb6e3/Reiss-Nelson?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Reiss Nelson</a> – N/A</h3>
<p>He didn’t have much time to make an impact. He failed to control a few balls but he did show some good work to set Arsenal on the counter-attack. Overall, it was a positive but short cameo from the youngster.</p>
<h3>Unai Emery – 2/10</h3>
<p>There are no excuses from Emery. His trial of taking every goal kick short failed and he made the wrong substitutions. He cannot rely on <a rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://fbref.com/en/players/9dbb75ca/Alexandre-Lacazette?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Alexandre Lacazette</a> to track back for Arsenal, he must drill this into his other attackers.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Five reasons why Arsenal will qualify for the UCL" data-url="https://playingfor90.com/2019/08/19/5-reasons-arsenal-will-qualify-champions-league-season/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2019/09/15/arsenal-2-2-watford-player-ratings-unai-emery-blame/"https://playingfor90.com/2019/08/19/5-reasons-arsenal-will-qualify-champions-league-season/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Five reasons why Arsenal will qualify for the UCL </a> </div>
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<p>Who do you think was Arsenal’s best and worst player in this performance against Watford?</p><!—pageview_candidate—></p>">