Arsenal Vs Watford: Recap, Highlights And Analysis

Arsenal returned to Premier League duties on Tuesday night against Watford. Here is the full recap, all the highlights and analysis from the 2-1 loss.

What a horrific result that was. As I write this, Chelsea are currently 1-1 with Liverpool and are looking likely to drop points, Spurs are 0-0 away against Sunderland and both Manchester clubs don’t play til Wedneveningevenng, Arsenal and Arsene Wenger had the perfect opportunity to lay down their title marker. Unfortunately, complacency took control.

The first half started in disastrous fashion for Arsenal. Watford were industrious and energetic in midfield, harassing Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey in deep-lying areas, utterly stifling the Gunners throughout the first 14 minutes.

The first goal came for the Hornets thanks to a thunderous Younes Kaboul strike. The Watford centre-half strode forward to fire a long-range free kick. The ball deflected heavily of off Aaron Ramsey, leaving Petr Cech stranded, before nestling into the near corner of the Arsenal goal.

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If that was not a disastrous enough start, Arsenal decided to pile on the misery on this, one of the more miserable of Tuesday nights of the year thus far. Etienne Capoue picked the ball up in the middle of the park – from a poor Gabriel Paulista throw in after Aaron Ramsey pitifully tried to bring the loose ball down before failing to chase down the Watford midfielder – drove forward with purpose and intent, sweeping past Shkodran Mustafi far too easily. Cech came out well and smothered the shot but the ball squirmed through Troy Deeney who side-footed the ball calmly into the gaping net.

The first half continued in rather dismal fashion. Watford dominated the shots statistic while Arsenal created little to nothing all half. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came on early for the seemingly injured Ramsey but further changes were needed at half-time.

Changes were indeed made. Wenger threw on Theo Walcott, bringing off Olivier Giroud and moving Alexis Sanchez into a central role. It immediately paid dividends.

Arsenal were far more fluid, with Alex Iwobi, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott continually interchanging behind the free-roaming Alexis Sanchez. Walcott missed a couple of good chances from the right channel, one particularly gilt-edged after great work from Iwobi down the left wing and a lovely, deft touch from Ozil.

The first goal for Arsenal did come however. Sanchez wriggled free along the goal line, shimmied and shook his way into the box before clipping a ball to the back post where Iwobi guided the ball home with a nervous looking side-foot finish. It was the perfect start to the half but far more than one goal was needed.

Arsenal continued to push for the equaliser but Watford frustrated them late in attacking moves. Heurehlo Gomes made some decent saves, Sebastien Prodl made numerous last-ditch blocks while Lucas Perez, who was brought on for Francis Coquelin when Arsenal were really chasing the game, smashed a left-footed strike against the crossbar.

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The Gunners ultimately failed to find the equaliser, despite relentless pressure throughout the closing stages. It was a highly frustrating performance in which a win was an absolute must. They left the Emirates empty handed, deserving of little more and now must travel to Stamford Bridge with their very slender title hopes hanging by a thread.

Highlights

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