Arsenal Vs Watford: 5 things we learned – Unai Emery has questions to answer

3. Stop the narrow diamond

Three weekends ago, Unai Emery 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.

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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.

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.

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.