Arsenal: Here comes the gut check, at every single level

After losing a 2-0 lead at Vicarage Road, tension is on the rise at Arsenal. Over the next few weeks and months, several aspects of the club will come under major scrutiny including the playing staff, manager and even the fans.

At halftime, Arsenal found themselves in an auspicious position as they locked horns with a Troy Denney-less Watford. The Hornets were as frustrating and prickly as ever, using their physicality and organization to unnerve the Gunners. However, two assists from their questionable full-backs, clever midfield displays by Dani Ceballos and Mesut Ozil as well as world-class finishes from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang meant that the north London side found themselves in the lead with at least one hand on the steering wheel. Predictably, it didn’t last.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Unai Emery out?

Comedic calamity struck as Arsenal were once again undone by absurd defensive decisions and the third penalty to be conceded in the last three games. That is now two points from their last three matches. Tension is on the rise. A considerable section of the fanbase has lost all hope in manager Unai Emery, while other corners of supporters are resting all their hopes on the shoulders of Kieran Tierney, Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding.

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While the defense will surely take the brunt of the blame for the shortcomings of the team, it must be said that Arsenal’s midfield has looked incredibly disjointed throughout the nascent stages of the season. With an attack that is lauded as one of the most dangerous in the league, getting the ball to thee exciting players has been difficult, to say the least. This could be attributed to the fact that in five games, Emery has already used three different formations, which may be promoting a sense of confusion amongst the players. The back four has not been properly protected by the midfield and the forwards have not been properly supplied.

That being said there is no way for the manager to adjudicate for such senseless individual mistakes. With a two-goal lead after 45 minutes, Emery should be able to reasonably count on his two most senior defenders not to make such jarring errors. Furthermore, while the players and coach can be found culpable for throwing away the lead, fans must also exhibit the dreaded “P-word” in the midst of all this chaos.

There are a few troubling early signs of a toxic atmosphere returning to the Emirates. Fans must realize the influence they possess over the mood and climate of the club. If panic begins to set in after just five short games, this will be a very long campaign indeed.

One way or the other, then, we will soon find out what type of team, club, and organisation Arsenal are.

Will Emery be able to implement a more cohesive philosophy once the injured defenders enter the fold? Will fans be able to galvanise and show a unified front or the disharmony of Arsene Wenger’s final seasons return darker and more detrimental than before? Will players like Sokratis, David Luiz and Granit Xhaka be able to shake their early mistakes to become consistent contributors to the squad?

These are major questions that loom over the entire organisation. And throughout the next few weeks, these issues will come to a head. One thing is for sure however, the infighting between players, fans and the manager cannot persist if Arsenal have any chance of overcoming their rivals and reaching their goals.