Granit Xhaka provides stunning reaction after Watford draw

Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka has said that the players were scared in the second half and that contributed towards the disappointing 2-2 draw against Watford at Vicarage Road.

The north London giants took a 2-0 lead at the interval after some fine finishing from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but the advantage was halved before the hour mark after Tom Cleverley scored from a defensive blunder by Sokratis.

Thereafter, the Hornets took the impetus to find the equaliser and they eventually did so in the 79th minute from a penalty which was converted by Roberto Pereyra.

Speaking after the game, Xhaka did not hide his frustration over the result and said that the team were scared in the second half where they could not contain Quique Flores' side.

"We were scared in the second half. We knew they would come at us and push us hard but we have to show more character and not be scared," he told Sky Sports.

With the result, the Gunners are on eight points similarly to third-placed Tottenham Hotspur but an inferior goal difference sees them seventh in the standings.