Arsenal: Passing out from the back errors more systemic

Arsenal made a series of errors when passing out from the back against Watford. Here is why those mistakes are more systemic than individualised, despite their singular nature in particular instances.

Arsenal had had plenty of warnings. Even in a first half that they won 2-0, there were enough examples to point to that suggested they should be worried about the efficacy of their process. And yet, they continued in the same manner. Insanity really is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

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In the 53rd minute, the crucial mistake was made — or rather, Watford finally punished a mistake that had been made numerous times before. That Sokratis’ errant pass was smashed home by Tom Cleverly on the edge of the penalty area and earlier errors were not punished in the same manner had nothing to do with the Gunners and their ability to recover and everything to do with Watford’s clinical streak in front of goal, or lack thereof. And of those errors could have ended in a goal, it was just chance that it took until the 53rd minute for one to finally be punished.

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Sokratis has since apologised for his mistake. He did so in the changing rooms after the match and reiterated those apologies to the fans in public. And while he should take responsibility for his egregious error, one that ultimately cost his team three precious points and an unlikely victory, given how they performed throughout the 90 minutes, to fully thrust the painful responsibility of failure onto one player is a little misguided.

The Greek centre-half was not the only player to make a mistake when trying to pass out from the back. David Luiz had some nervy moments, Matteo Guendouzi was dispossessed on a number of occasions, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Granit Xhaka and Sead Kolasinac all did not exactly help the situation either. While it was one individualised mistake that was ultimately punished, Arsenal’s problems in playing out from the back are rather more systemic.

While wholly excusing Sokratis — and others — of his responsibility would be unwise and illogical, there is a deeper-rooted problem within the very structure of the team that thrusts Sokratis et al. into extremely uncomfortable and awkward situations. And this very much falls at the feet of Unai Emery.

Emery has been criticised for demanding that his team play out from the back. Here, I have no issue with his management. In fact, I think he is right to. But the way in which it is done is extremely poor. There are no planned progressions, with individual players not handed specific instructions depending on the situation they are in. There are very few smart combinations that take advantage of the space that the opposition vacates as a result of pressing high up the pitch. Passes routinely fall into the traps set by the opposition, forcing players to pass backwards, straight to opponents, or not at all, tackled before they can release the ball.

On Sunday, the number of times Guendouzi and Xhaka received the ball with their back to the Watford midfield, immediately put under pressure was extremely worrying. Or how many passes did Maitland-Niles simply float up the line hoping that Nicolas Pepe or Mesut Ozil could somehow hang onto the ball? When Arsenal did go long, it was with aimless clearances, not accurate passes into space or directed at the feet of their teammates.

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Playing out from the back is a good thing. In the modern game, I would posit that it is a necessary thing. But it must be done well, with clear instruction and smart combinations. And at present, Arsenal are failing drastically. Sokratis made a mistake, yes, but it was a consequence of a more systemic problem, not just a moment of madness.

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