The new manager’s ‘play it out from the back’ rule has the Highbury legend on the edge of his seat – in a bad way

David Seaman has admitted he fears for Arsenal’s defence this season as they get to grips with Unai Emery’s new tactical approach.

New manager Emery has overseen the club’s worst start to a Premier League season in 26 years, having opened the campaign with back-to-back defeats.

3 Unai Emery haw not enjoyed the greatest start to life as Arsenal manager

Sure, those games may have been against Manchester City and Chelsea – the last two Premier League champions – but many have been surprised by how chaotic the Gunners have been at the back so far.

It’s early days yet, but it appears the players are struggling to adapt to Emery’s ‘play it out from the back’ style, with their back-four and goalkeeper Petr Cech looking clueless at times in their first two games.

Speaking on Wednesday’s Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, Seaman said: “Arsenal worry me at the back.

“Petr Cech is having to make a lot of saves and there’s some defensive stuff going on there that’s… it’s not schoolboy, but…

“They want to hold a high line, and yet they’re still holding a high line when there’s no pressure on the ball.

3 Arsenal have conceded five goals from their first two games of the season

“You do not do that, and they found that out against Chelsea where they were just knocking balls over the top for fun.

“Going forward it looks strong, but they’ve got to take chances. There was some really good chances against Chelsea and it was frustrating, especially because you know Chelsea have got quality up front and they will punish you.”

3 David Seaman has urged the Gunners to ‘mix it up’ and stop being so predictable

Asked how he would tell Arsenal to play with Emery’s new approach, Seaman said: “Do a mixture of it.

“At the moment they are not fully confident of playing out from the back, everyone can see that. It’s about getting the balance right.

“If teams are pushing in on you and doing it really well, you have to knock it long some times. Then, by doing that, it spreads out the field and you can start from there.

“Just mix it up. We were really trying to force it all the time and it becomes really easy to defend that.”