Arsenal skipper Granit Xhaka branded his team-mates as "scared" after the Gunners blew a two-goal lead at Watford .
A first-half double from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had put the Gunners in control against the Premier League's bottom club.
But the Hornets dominated the second period – and rained in 23 shots – as Unai Emery's side collapsed.
Watford had 31 shots in all – the most Arsenal have faced in a Premier League match since records began – to take the total to a European big-league high of 96.
Xhaka said: "We came out and played such a bad second half. We were too scared, nobody wanted the ball.
"We knew they would come at us and push us hard but we have to show more character and not be scared.
"Every team in the Premier League is strong enough to score so you have to stay calm, be mentally strong and we weren't today. You have to say we are happy to take a point."
Shocking defending from centre-backs Sokratis and David Luiz gifted Watford their two goals. But Emery said: "I have the responsibility for all the decisions we are taking as a team.
The Arsenal boss also claimed he had taken off his fellow Spaniard Dani Ceballos because of the heat in Hertfordshire.
"Today was very hot and in the second half we needed some fresh players," he said.
Watford midfielder Tom Cleverley said: “Arsenal were a bit tentative and we could smell that a bit."
And Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness blasted: "They capitulated. Arsenal in the second half were like a semi-professional team playing football. Proper teams don't play like that."
