Tony Adams believes Mikel Arteta made a ‘massive error’ by not instructing a stronger Arsenal player to guard the back post at set-pieces during their defeat to Chelsea on Sunday.
The Gunners took the lead through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but failed to hold out as late goals from Jorginho and Tammy Abraham sealed the win for Frank Lampard’s side.
Chelsea’s equaliser came from a free kick as Bernd Leno misjudged the ball, leaving Jorginho to tap home from close range.
But Adams has criticised Arsenal’s set-up for set-pieces as Bukayo Saka was tasked with dealing with Tammy Abraham at the back post.
‘There was a mismatch at the far post,’ Adams told the Premier League.
‘And when you’re playing the zonal it’s so important.
‘So many goals come in that area, and not to have one of your best headers in that zone is a massive error.’
Adams also criticised Shkodran Mustafi for backing off Tammy Abraham on the halfway line before the Chelsea striker’s winning goal.
‘Chelsea have got back into the game, it’s 1-1, all game they’ve [Arsenal] been going in and pushing in and defending well, he [Mustafi] chose to drop off again,’ said the former Arsenal captain.
‘This is an old habit Arsenal have been doing week in, week out, they drop off and drop off because they’re scared, it’s fear.
‘If he’d gone in on Abraham [near the halfway line] in here, stick him in there, make the foul, you saw Jorginho, you make the foul there, stop him turning, get in front of him ideally and win the ball.
‘But you’re on your back straight from that position.’
