Peter Crouch told BT Sport during their live coverage of Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to Southampton on Saturday that Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny were ‘ponderous in possession’.
Arsenal, who are the current holders of the FA Cup, were knocked out at the fourth-round stage with Gabriel’s own goal separating both sides.
Mikel Arteta made a number of changes from their recent Premier League clash, which has now raised questions because they won’t be able to defend their crown this season.
Former England striker Crouch shared where it all went wrong for the Gunners and the two players who simply weren’t good enough at St Mary’s.
“I thought they were ponderous in possession maybe with Xhaka and Elneny in the first half,” said Crouch. “And Southampton just didn’t let them play.
“They kept pressing them. They kept putting them under pressure and Arsenal couldn’t get out.
“It was only until the second half with the introduction of Partey, Lacazette and Saka as well to turn their fortunes and they just couldn’t break them down.”
Arsenal don’t have long to respond now because in a few days time they will be taking on the same opponents, but this time in the Premier League.
Even without playing yesterday, Arteta’s side have fallen into the bottom half of the table because Aston Villa secured a 2-0 win over Newcastle last night.
Defeat for the Gunners in midweek then, forget about the European places, they will be falling further behind the top-10 spots, which will only increase the heat on the man in the dugout.
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