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Tony Cascarino criticises David Luiz for his lack of leadership as Arsenal draw with Watford
Tony Cascarino has laid into Arsenal new-boy David Luiz for his performance as the Gunners let a 2-0 lead slip in the second half of yesterday’s trip to face Watford.
Cascarino criticised Arsenal’s defence, with Luiz singled out for not adding any of the qualities Unai Emery needs.
He : “I was shocked by what I saw from Arsenal — I just can’t understand how a side with top four aspirations can play like that in a second half and expect to win. Why is Unai Emery so content to allow his side to be so open? Rather than shut the game down they seemed to encourage Watford’s second half comeback.
“Arsenal had no control, no composure. They needed to sign a defender, someone who is cool under pressure and has leadership qualities — and spent £8 million on David Luiz, a player who has never embodied any of those qualities.”
TBR’s View – Luiz has vast experience but still plays like a young player
Arsenal just needed a steady second half display to see out the game but in Luiz, they have somebody who doesn’t deal in serenity and is capable of creating to or exacerbating chaos.
Dangling a leg in the penalty area like he did was asking for trouble – even an inexperienced defender would know that, let alone someone of his age.
Luiz was portrayed as a cut-price, experienced option for Arsenal in a position where they needed someone new but on a day like yesterday he is someone only capable of adding to the Gunners’ issues.