Arsenal Vs Watford: Winning is important for more than the obvious

Arsenal overcame Watford for their second successive game on Sunday. As Arsene Wenger points out, winning is important, and for more than the obvious.

I once heard Michael Owen say the following: “Whichever team scores more goals usually wins.” It is a somewhat needless statement — As an aside, I love the use of ‘usually’, as if there have been times when a team has scored more goals and not won. Oh dear, Michael. I bring this up because I too am about to give an equally needless statement and I wanted some reassurance that other, far more intelligent and involved footballers than I am have done the same.

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Winning is important. I know, mindblowing. But stick with me. Winning is important for more than just the points that it brings — or the qualification that it provides if it comes in a cup competition. It is important because of the feeling that it inspires. Arsenal are the perfect proof.

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After their 3-0 win against Watford on Sunday, their second in succession, after a disastrous run of four losses, Arsene Wenger, while admitting that he made several rotational selection decisions to preserve some of his players for the upcoming second leg against AC Milan in the Europa League, stated that he still wanted to win the game because of the ‘negative spiral’ that he and his players had been caught in:

"“But I wanted absolutely to win this game and it was difficult, but overall, it gets us a little bit out of that negative spiral that we were in. We need some more games [to turn the corner]. We had a nightmare week, so overall we still have some work to do. But we are on a good way.”"

And Wenger is absolutely right. Winning breeds winning. That is a phrase that is often bandied around without much understanding of its root meaning and significance. Winning does breed winning, but it does not follow on from itself just be happen-chance. There is a rhyme and reason to it.

Winning breeds confidence, that is the feeling that it inspires within each and every individual. Confidence, in turn, breeds a better level of performance, from the decisions that are made to the skilful execution of certain plays and tactics. That better performance breeds winning.

That is why it was important for Arsenal to beat Watford on Sunday. They certainly did not play their best. There were long periods in which Watford controlled the game, enjoying a command of possession, pressing their hosts deep within their own territory. But they did win, and it was clear to see the outward effect that it had on the feeling of the players, the atmosphere in the stadium, and the hope for the upcoming fixtures.

Next: Arsenal Vs Watford: 5 things we learned

While the very same issues are far from solved, there is now a degree of positivity around the club. Support, slowly, is returning. Anticipation is growing. Joy is rising. That is the effect of winning. It is what Arsenal must continue to inspire between now and the end of the year. Winning, as I’m sure Michael Owen would agree, is important.