Arsenal squandered an easy three points against Watford in the most Arsenal way possible.
Arsenal were in good form before the international break and, for the first time in a while, there was some excitement to see them play again.
Unfortunately, the performance left much to be desired. At best, Arsenal played within themselves but did just enough to take a half-time lead. That all went down the drain in the second half as we failed to put the game to bed, conceded a penalty after a Richarlison dive, then came away with nothing as Tom Cleverley scored the winner in stoppage time.
Just like that, a good run of form came to a crashing halt, and everyone is miserable again.
So, how did our darling, lovable plays fare?
Defence
Petr Cech 5
A game where he had few saves to make, and wasn’t at fault for either of the goals, yet would have been disappointed to concede at all. His atrocious record at saving penalties continued, and he wasn’t entirely convincing on the winner, either.
Laurent Koscielny 5
There was much concern about the prospect of Koscielny not being able to play, and on today’s evidence he didn’t look ready. The Frenchman was far from his assertive best, and had to be withdrawn late on with cramp.
Per Mertesacker 5
“Andre Gray just needs to pull on to Mertesacker,” said Steve McManaman on commentary, touting the old cliché about the German being slow. The idea he has never dealt with quick forwards before is fanciful. Ironically, it wasn’t the nippy Gray that gave him trouble, but the lumbering Deeney.
He will be pleased with an excellently taken goal, but at the same time, was unable to marshal Arsenal’s backline in the dying moments of the game, and will be disappointed he was unable to clear the ball in stoppage time before the winner.
Nacho Monreal 6
It wasn’t a stellar performance from Monreal but the Spaniard did produce the only moment of genuine quality in the second half for Arsenal. He stepped out and played a magnificent cross field pass to Bellerin, that regrettably went nowhere.
Next, midfield