OPINION
Arsenal have a shocking away record this season – their form on the road would have seen them 10th in the Premier League before last night, and they hadn’t kept a clean sheet on the road all season.
They put that awful stat to bed at Vicarage Park last night, securing a hugely valuable three points in the race for a top-four spot by beating Watford 1-0.
Given that, you’d think that the Arenal defenders performed heroics, but many fans were not happy with the display from young Greek defender Konstantinos Mavropanos.
With Sokratis out through suspension, Mavropanos was given his first start after missing most of the season through injury.
Perhaps not surprisingly he looked nervous and off the pace, with one fan describing him as looking “terrified” and another that he looked like a “rabbit in the headlights”.
Some fans were willing to cut him some slack and there were some promising signs from the youngster, but Mavropanos was hauled off after 59 minutes and replaced with Matteo Guendouzi.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got the goal for Arsenal after just 10 minutes when he closed down Ben Foster and saw the goalkeeper’s attempted clearance bounce off his leg and into the net.
And the win was made a lot easier for them a minute later when Troy Deeney was sent off for an elbow on Lucas Torreira. The Arsenal player might have made the most of it but it looked like a clear red card. After his disparaging comments about Arsenal players, the away fans absolutely loved this decision.
Watford still had plenty of chances to equalise but couldn’t break Arsenal down and the win puts Unai Emery’s side back into the top-four and crucially ahead of Chelsea with a game in hand.
The stats backed up the win too, with Arsenal enjoying 66% of the possession, according to the BBC, with 19 shots to 11 and double the amount on target (six to three).
Here are the best reactions to Mavropanos’ display:
If Mavropanos stayed on the pitch, he would have given away a penalty. He looked so nervous
— The Final boss? (@Bizzle025) April 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/ChrisAndre6/status/1117896885778313216
Horrible performance
— BAMSI (@jamalbashir10) April 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/RNelson_/status/1117897754255085568
Not really fair to criticise him when he’s had no first team games but he was shakey
— Mel loves football (@melt77) April 15, 2019
Not ready for it.
— gunnerthru (@fartooeasy) April 15, 2019
His withdrawal from the manager after 60 mins says it all really. For sure he has potential but he is not near being a 1st team regular. At least 3 mistakes made tonight that could of resulted in a goal. Would be amazed if he were to start another game this season if all fit
— reggie1984 (@reggie_10_) April 15, 2019
Very poor performance
— Shantanu Anil Shinde (@shan_gooner) April 15, 2019
Nervous, was jumping in when he was never going to win the ball. Got better as the game went on but I think Emery knew he was a little out of his depth and probably tired so did the sensible thing and took him off imo. Glad to see him back though
— Stuart (@redgoonerstu) April 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/bonjourgunner/status/1117897857627852801
https://twitter.com/EJPSarriesAFC/status/1117872416183574530
https://twitter.com/afc_ramble/status/1117871475959033856