Warnock slams West Ham United duo after what they did v Arsenal
Stephen Warnock has slated West Ham duo Emerson Palmieri and Ben Johnson for their “schoolboy” errors during a 6-0 loss to Arsenal on Sunday 11 February.
Up against Bukayo Saka, currently one of the trickiest wingers in the Premier League, David Moyes attempted to double-up on the Gunners star with a more defensive player in Johnson at left-wing.
However, the two were pointed out as one of the biggest frustrations during the damning defeat on Sunday, with Warnock hammering their slack defending against Saka.
Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day 2 on Sunday (11 February), he said: “Being a former left-back, I’m thinking that with Ben Johnson ahead of me, if I’m Emerson, he can protect and help me. But he doesn’t.
“Johnson has just been beaten in the press. Get back in. Make sure you’re working hard. Emerson is now in a 1v1, and he doesn’t cover himself in glory. Do you want to stop the cross? Do you want to stop Saka from coming in on his right?
“There’s another 1v1 situation – that cannot happen. It’s schoolboy defending.”
Emerson and Johnson flop for West Ham
Although more than just two players are at fault for a 6-0 defeat to Arsenal, the defensive pair have been pointed out, and rightly so, for playing a major role in allowing the opposition to attack.
Every team in the league is aware of Saka’s talents, which is why his ability on the ball should come as no surprise for Johnson and Emerson. Moyes set his team up sensibly, with a defender being placed in front of Emerson to combat the England international.
The out-of-position right-back was far from effective, though, and it seemed he did not seem to get the message that his services were needed to combat Saka. “Schoolboy” is certainly a word that comes to mind, though I’m sure West Ham fans will be using far worse.
The performance was extremely worrying from a West Ham perspective, especially with the lack of worry shown by the players despite recording their seventh match without a victory.
While the top-four spots were an achievable goal throughout the first half of the season, a massive change is needed to reach that aim now.
In other West Ham news, David Moyes is now concerned over the temperament of a first-team regular and may decide to axe him after a recent transfer development.
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