Arsenal were ripped apart by Leicester in the Premier League on Sunday and the 3-0 defeat put a huge dent in their top-four hopes.
Jamie Vardy scored two late goals, one with a direct pass from the keeper, with Arsenal playing a high line that played into the striker’s hands beautifully.
Talking on Match of the Day 2 (Sunday, BBC 2, 10.30pm), Alan Shearer didn’t hold back and while he praised Vardy, he absolutely ripped into the Arsenal defence, and in particular the central pairing of Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi.
“How pathetic the back line of Arsenal were, even with 11 men,” Shearer said,
“Jamie Vardy was sensational. It was a constant all afternoon. Two central defenders… This ball travelled 100 yards and still the defenders can’t get anywhere near.
“They should defend better, defend deeper, what does Jamie Vardy want? Every team knows this. I bet he wishes he could play agains them every week, they were absolutely hopeless.”
OPINION
Arsenal were pathetic and the defence – that has been at fault so much this year – was shocking again. How can you let a simple high ball from the keeper bounce twice and just watch Jamie Vardy sprint through to score? He didn’t even get the ball in the net the first time, but he still had the time and space to score with a header after the rebound off the bar. It’s embarrassing to watch and as an Arsenal fan you must despair at the thought that their side could mess up the top-four spot that seemingly no team wants at the moment. Tottenham lost, and Man United and Chelsea drew, and this was the perfect chance to solidify their position. Now, after defeats to Wolves, Crystal Palace and Leicester, it looks like they’ll have to win the Europa League to qualify for the Champions League next season. The way they’re playing at the moment, they won’t make much of an impression on the competition even if they do qualify.