Mertesacker laments Arsenal collapse at Watford

Arsenal should have been woken up by Watford's equaliser, Per Mertesacker said after his side's surprise loss.

Published : Oct 15, 2017 09:20 IST

Arsenal has lost three matches away from home this season in the Premeir League.
Arsenal has lost three matches away from home this season in the Premeir League.
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Arsenal has lost three matches away from home this season in the Premeir League.

Arsenal captain Per Mertesacker was unhappy with his team's failure to respond to Watford's equaliser in its shock 2-1 loss .

Mertesacker had given the visitor to Vicarage Road a first-half lead with a header in the Premier League on Saturday.

But Troy Deeney levelled from the penalty spot in the 71st minute before Tom Cleverley scored a dramatic late winner.

READ:  Silva praises Watford's late show against Arsenal

While Mertesacker was unsure about the penalty, given against Hector Bellerin for a foul on Richarlison, he lamented Arsenal's inability to respond.

"I'm not sure, I cannot tell [if it was a penalty]. Honestly, it's so quick these actions, it's difficult to judge and the referee made that decision," the German defender told www.arsenal.com .

"I think for us it was kind of a wake-up call, but it wasn't loud enough."

The loss was Arsenal's third in eight Premier League games and left it sixth in the table.

Mertesacker said his team was wasteful in possession against Watford, particularly in the second half.

"I think that's what we lacked, especially in the second half, you know when we got the ball we missed a chance, but we missed as well to play, we missed it completely," he said.

"That’s what we did really well in the first half, where we regained possession, kept possession, that was really good.

"In the second half we just wasted the ball and that's obviously not enough.

"If you just protect and you have no chances on the break and you miss one chance to kill the game, then it's difficult in the Premier League to win any game."

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