Sokratis fronts up after Watford error: “I cost Arsenal the game”

Sokratis has shouldered the blame for Arsenal snatching a 2-2 draw from the jaws of victory against Watford.

Unai Emery’s men raced to a two-goal lead at Vicarage Road before turning into the architects of their own downfall in the second half.

Arsenal and Sokratis’ shaky performance: Five key things to know…

• Sokratis made the least accurate passes (33) of anyone in Arsenal’s defence against Watford.
• He produced the only error leading to a goal in the game which came eight minutes after the break.
• His attempted pass to Mattéo Guendouzi was intercepted by Gerard Deulofeu that led to Tom Cleverley halving the deficit.
• Sokratis central defensive partner David Luiz then gave away his second penalty in three games.
• He’s since apologised for the result taking full blame for their second half capitulation.

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A botched attempted at playing out from the back by Sokratis, their 14th error leading to a goal in the Premier League since August 2018, preceded David Luiz giving away a second penalty in three games.

All of this means the Gunners extend their winless streak to three matches (two draws and one defeat) having won their opening two fixtures.

Following the game captain Granit Xhaka revealed they were playing scared after half-time with Sokratis raising his hand and taking full blame for the capitulation.

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“I think that I cost the game for the team. It was my mistake for something simple that I don’t have to do. I think this was the problem why we lose the three points,” he said.

“This is all about our responsibility and we have to do better. It was my mistake and today without my mistake, we would take the three points. I don’t want to speak about others. Today it was my mistake and this cost the game. Nothing else. The other guys tried their best. I don’t have to do this mistake.”

“Of course. I apologised because today I cost the game for the team and I have to work harder. I know up to this moment I didn’t have a mistake, I didn’t do nothing. Everything was near to perfect. We didn’t have the same pace in the second half as in the first half.

“But if we didn’t do these mistakes, I don’t think we draw. Of course they had other chances to score more, but if we didn’t do these mistakes then nothing happens.”