Arsenal Vs Watford: A peek into a terrifying, Alexis Sanchez-less future

Without Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal were blunt, predictable, and slow in their attacking against Watford. Was it a peek into a terrifying, Sanchez-less future?

The 2-1 loss to Watford on Saturday was extremely concerning in a number of ways. From the lack of fight and desire in the second half to the inability to manage a game efficiently with a one-goal lead, there were many issues with the Arsenal performance.

Perhaps the most concerning was their crumbling under pressure in the second half, as Marco Silva’s side began to press high up the pitch, suffocating their visitors of time and space, forcing sloppy passes and loose first touches in possession, and capitalising on defensive errors thanks to the weight of wave after wave of aerial bombardment.

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However, I have written much on such struggles in recent posts, and will instead touch on a different issue that may have perhaps been overlooked in the mess that was the second half: The bluntness of the attack, especially in the first half, in the final third without Alexis Sanchez.

I am not quite sure as to why Wenger Sanchez did not feature at all. There were reports of a possible injury, which Wenger revealed before kick off, but I fear there may be a more threatening and daunting underlying reason as to his absence. Wenger did say that Chile’s failure to qualify for the World Cup during the international break had affected him mentally, and with questions surrounding his commitment, it is sure a little suspicious to see him suddenly dropped from the squad.

Nevertheless, that is why teams have deep and varied squads. To deal with the inevitable absences that will occur throughout a long and arduous season. But on Saturday, Arsenal could not.

They looked clunky in possession, lacking their usual sharpness in movement and precision in passing. They were slow and lethargic through the phases of play, often times playing square and backwards, instead of injecting any semblance of intensity or impetus, especially in the final third. It was aimless, lacking purpose and directness. There was no individual spark.

And this simply showed how lifeless the Arsenal attack could look without Sanchez next year. It is likely that he will leave this season, either in January, as Wenger has admitted is possible, or at the end of the season for free. Without him, the Gunners look a little lost.

Next: Arsenal Vs Watford: 5 things we learned

Sanchez has a unique ability to create chances and score goals out of nothing. There are few other players in the world that have that. And it is painfully clear that Arsenal, like many other teams, also do not have a replacement. This was a lapse and blunt attacking performance, and, in large part, it was all because Sanchez was not there.

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