Arsenal Vs. Watford: Player Ratings

Made a couple of great reaction saves today – one of which stopped an own-goal – but not a ton to do for Cech that required world class ability. The Czech veteran always looks comfortable in goal. Aside of the one he conceded he made zero mistakes.. GK. Arsenal FC. PETR CECH. 6.7

7.5. Hector Bellerin made outstanding forward runs and won the ball back plenty of times. His work rate was on display and he outshone Jose Cholevas and Isaac Success throughout the match.. RB. Arsenal FC. HECTOR BELLERIN

ROB HOLDING. 6.8. Rob Holding has put together a string of good performances now, and he looked confident alongside Koscielny once again. In the goal Arsenal conceded it was a series of deflections. On another day the ball would’ve deflected into a different person’s path. He made a poor pass and got covered for by Koscielny, and aside from that he was quite solid.. CB. Arsenal FC

Laurent Koscielny had a lot to do in the second half for a period of time, and he struggled in a few moments. On the whole it was a good performance, though. He looked cool when clearing the ball, but some of the headers he made weren’t quality headers.. CB. Arsenal FC. LAURENT KOSCIELNY. 7.1

Nacho Monreal got skinned quite a few times by winger turned wing-back Nordin Amrabat. The Moroccan ran at Monreal and exposed his lack of pace quite a few times. Eventually Monreal went off injured, but he might have just been ran to death. Arsenal need to watch his legs.. LB. Arsenal FC. NACHO MONREAL. 6.5

7.7. Granit Xhaka’s fitness wasn’t one hundred percent, but while he was on the field he played brilliant passes. It was pinpoint for the vast majority of the game, especially long-range passing. He looks a great signing if he can put that passing to good use in every game.. MID. Arsenal FC. GRANIT XKAHA

7.0. Santi Cazorla got himself a valuable first goal in over 3,200 minutes of football, and was a part of Arsenal’s buildup play in the first half. The whole midfield looked a little off the pace once Watford committed more bodies forward, but he had a good game. His position is shifting a little too much, though.. MID. Arsenal FC. SANTI CAZORLA

8.0. Tons of creativity about Ozil,in today’s game. He walked about finding pockets of space to great effect, and tore apart the center of Watford’s team for the first 60 minutes. Looks to be the key in Arsenal’s creativity: though they didn’t have a central striker, their presence of a killer number 10 gave them a focal point.. MID. Arsenal FC. MESUT OZIL

MID. Arsenal FC. THEO WALCOTT. 7.1. Theo Walcott failed to get on the scoresheet today, but he still made a contribution to Arsenal’s offense. A good cross in to set up Arsenal’s second goal and plenty of important runs. He shouldn’t be going for those silly chips, though.

6.7. Oxlade-Chamberlain looked a little asleep for some of the game. He did a “Mcgeady spin” into the corner flag and out of bounds, which kind of summed up his performance. Tried to get too flashy once his team were ahead.. MID. Arsenal FC. ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN

8.9. Alexis Sanchez played more of the false nine role than he has in his previous two matches. He drifted around, coming deep to get the ball and combine with his attacking midfield teammates. It worked to devastating effect, and he contributed to the buildup in all three goals today. If he can do that on a regular basis, he could be a contender for league player of the season.. ST. Arsenal FC. ALEXIS SANCHEZ

6.5. Came on as a sub for the injured Nacho Monreal. The added pace down Arsenal’s left flank was much needed. Could now be in for a run of starts.. SUB. Arsenal FC. KIERAN GIBBS

SUB. Arsenal FC. JACK WILSHERE. 6.0. Came on to settle the game down. Did that, but also looked short of sharpness. Picked up a yellow card but needs some much needed playing time.

6.2. Like Wilshere, came on to bring calmness to the game. Did that, but once again, looked short of pace, especially defensively.. SUB. Arsenal FC. MOHAMED ELNENY