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Owen Hargreaves Doubted Etienne Capoue's Ability To Win The Ball

Owen Hargreaves Doubted Etienne Capoue's Ability To Win The Ball

The former player recognised the Watford midfielder's passing ability but it's actually his interceptions the Frenchman is known for.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

Owen Hargreaves made a fool of himself as a tv pundit when he questioned Etienne Capoue's ability to win possession, when the Watford midfielder had the most interceptions in Europe last year.

It was a good weekend for Watford as they came back from 2-0 down against Arsenal at half time to secure Quique Sanchez Flores' first point in his return to the Hornets, with a 2-2 draw.

Ahead of the match former midfielder Hargreaves had been discussing the team's midfield, on the Kelly and Wrighty Show, and he wasn't impressed with their ability to win the ball back, even if he did recognise their ability as ball players.

Unfortunately for the former Manchester United midfielder, Capoue actually completed more interceptions than any other midfielder in Europe last season.

No one's expecting Hargreaves to know Watford perfectly but if you're going to make a statement like that you should probably have the facts at hand.

Certainly it was a better weekend for the Hertfordshire club's midfield, than the one Hargreaves had, on Sunday as Arsenal allowed their opponents to have 31 shots on their goal.

The Gunners took a two goal lead just past the half hour mark, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but their collapse allowed Sanchez Florez to earn the draw.

Arsenal players walk off the pitch after throwing away a win against Watford. Image: PA Images
Arsenal players walk off the pitch after throwing away a win against Watford. Image: PA Images

Watford Observer gave the Frenchman an eight out of 10 rating for his performance at Vicarage Road on Sunday, as he took the captain's armband from the injured Troy Deeney.

Although the 31-year-old won't be too happy with his impact on the visiting side's first goal he was still one of the hosts top performers as Watford earned a much needed point.

The team had picked up just one point under Javi Gracia and were bottom of the table, hence why the manager who led the side to the FA Cup final last season was sacked, and they must kick on from the weekend's point.

Capoue once again wins the ball. Image: PA Images
Capoue once again wins the ball. Image: PA Images

Hargreaves' punditry faux pas is nowhere near the worst thing any pundit said last weekend, with one Italian pundit being suspended after directing racist abuse at Romelu Lukaku.


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Topics: Watford, Football News, Owen Hargreaves, Granit Xhaka, Premier League, Arsenal