Arsenal: The clock is ticking for Unai Emery

Arsenal fans are frustrated after being dominated by bottom-of-the-table Watford, with many already calling for Unai Emery to be sacked. He must figure things out quickly to restore belief and confidence among the fan base. The clock is undoubtedly ticking.

In Arsenal’s last 15 league matches dating back to last season, they have won just five, drawing four and losing six. In other words, they have taken 19 points out of a possible 45. Those wins were against Burnley (twice), Newcastle (twice), and Watford. However, it was their latest trip to Vicarage Road that has many fans exceedingly worried.

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The Gunners allowed an astounding 23 shots from the Hornets in the second half alone, which is about one every two minutes. But this was not just an anomaly. Through the first five games of the season, Arsenal have allowed 96 shots, averaging a little over 19 per game, more than any other side in Europe’s top five leagues.

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Perhaps the most frustrating thing about these numbers is that much of it appears to be down to tactical cluelessness from a manager who had been renowned as a masterful tinkerer. In the two matches that head coach Unai Emery has set up with a diamond formation this season, his team have conceded a grand total of 56 shots.

This is no mere coincidence. On both occasions, the defeat to Liverpool and Sunday’s draw with Watford, the full-backs were left completely isolated to deal with threats from wide areas, which is a problem when neither of them is particularly good at defending. The absence of Lucas Torreira from the starting XI is also baffling as he is perhaps the only truly defensive midfielder that can play without the ball.

Emery also clearly instructed his side to play out from the back. There is nothing wrong with the idea itself, but when it is clearly not working as we saw this past Sunday, you need to be ready to adapt your gameplan and shake things up. Booting the ball down the field every once in a while to relieve some pressure is not the worst idea in the world.

Arsenal had several close calls before they were finally punished by Tom Cleverley, who capitalised on a cheap giveaway from Sokratis. The Greek international’s struggles on the ball are eerily reminiscent of Petr Cech’s last season, demonstrating that it is difficult to teach an old dog new tricks.

Given that playing out from the back is one of the more noticeable tactical changes that Emery has instilled in the team, it is worrying that the players continue to have such profound difficulties with it.

Apart from that, Emery’s overall philosophy remains a total mystery, apart from moving the ball from side to side and relying on the individual quality of Aubameyang and Lacazette. There is no seeming designed identity within the team, the players are reportedly ‘confused’ by some his instructions, and the lack of cohesiveness of the performances at the very least suggests that Emery is failing to get his message across, if there even is one in the first place.

Amid all of this, it is important to remember that Emery was appointed by Ivan Gazidis, who is no longer at the club. The newly installed regime featuring Raul Sanllehi — Sanllehi was at the club prior to Emery’s hiring, but was moved into a new role after the departures Gazidis and Sven Mislintat — and Edu, with the backing of Josh Kroenke, should have no reluctance in cutting ties with Emery if he fails to turn things around.

With all of this being said, it is only five games into the season. Arsenal are level on points with Manchester United and Chelsea, despite having played tougher games so far. The return of Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and new signing Kieran Tierney should bolster the defence. Emery needs to be given time to assemble his team and form his system. But if performances like the one against Watford persist, that time will very quickly run out.