This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
Published on September 19, 2019, Arsenal defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles has expressed his concerns over Unai Emery's tactics following the Gunners' 2-2 draw against Watford.
With Arsenal set to face Eintracht Frankfurt in their Europa League campaign, Maitland-Niles revealed what was discussed in the dressing room after the team let a two-goal lead slip against Watford on Sunday.
Goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had given Arsenal the lead, but Watford's Tom Cleverley reduced the deficit before Roberto Pereyra rolled in a late penalty to earn a point for the Hornets.
Watford's first goal was particularly criticized, as goalkeeper Bernd Leno and Sokratis attempted to play a goal kick out from the back, but the ball was intercepted inside the area and Cleverley fired home to begin the fightback.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Maitland-Niles said, "Words can't describe how I feel about it. I think we tried to play the way we played, we should have changed it instead of being so persistent and trying to play out from the back."
He also revealed that the whole squad had discussed what happened after the match, with Maitland-Niles adding, "We've spoken to each other as a team and the manager has also spoken to us. We know we've done wrong, we can all hold our hands up and blame each other if we wanted to, but we're a team and we take the responsibility as a team and be even better."
Meanwhile, Arsenal have been dealt a major injury blow, as the club have confirmed that striker will be out of action until at least October with an ankle injury.
