'Arsenal's players don't know what Emery wants them to do' - Smith concerned by Gunners boss' 'confusing' tactics

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The former striker believes there are players within the squad at the Emirates Stadium who are struggling to grasp the Spaniard's ideas

Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has revealed that some of the Gunners'Â players are strugglingÂ to understand Unai Emeryâ€™s tactical instructions.

The north London outfit have made an encouraging start to the new Premier League season, picking up seven points from their first four matches.

Despite that, in his column for the Evening Standard, Smith voiced his concerns around some of Arsenalâ€™s football, which he believes is showing few signs of improving, with itÂ partly down to a lack of clarity between players and manager.

â€œMaybe it is down to a lack of understanding,â€ he said.Â

â€œI have heard whispers, after all, that some of the players find their managerâ€™s instructions confusing, that they do not really know what he wants them to do.Â

â€œIf so, that does not bode well. A clarity of purpose is essential.â€

The Sky Sports pundit and commentator went onto raise further issues with Emery, who has been at Arsenal since May 2018, and suggested that other than an impressive strikeforce, he has notÂ been impressed by this Gunners side.

â€œPierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe will cause anyone problems with their pace, ability and finishing, but behind that attack so many questions need answers," he added.

"On the evidence so far, something needs to change. Because as well as Arsenal played going forward in the second half against Tottenham, that midfield offered scant protection to a back four in need of plenty.â€

â€œEvery time the visitors sprang forward they looked really dangerous, encouraged by loads of space in the middle ground.â€

Arsenal face Watford on Sunday, and Smith is worried about the new manager bounceÂ after the Hornets sacked Javi GraciaÂ and appointed their former manager, Quique Sanchez Flores.

He believes the Spaniard has some good players at his disposal, and will know how to take advantage of Arsenalâ€™s weaknesses.

â€œI thought the studious Emery would have made improvements long before now,â€ he said.Â

â€œFor someone who spends untold hours personally cutting up video of the opposition to show his Âplayers, you would have thought we would have seen a more organised reaction to Âlosing the ball.

â€œQuique Sanchez Flores will certainly be trying to quickly introduce that in his second stint at Watford.Â

â€œFor me, he inherits a better squad than the one he left. Arsenal must hope that he does not also prompt the new managerâ€™s bounce."

2019-09-13 18:00:02

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