Arsenal: 5 key players to ensure victory vs Watford

By Josh Sippie | Sep 27, 2018

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on September 15, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

3. Lucas Torreira

I don’t think Lucas Torreira was at his best against Everton. In fact, I know he wasn’t. Something about coming on as a sub made him look like superman. Maybe it was having fresh legs, maybe it was just him being wound up to get playing time.

But against Everton, he was hampered. Of course, that was thanks largely to the yellow card that he got in the 14th minute. From that point forward, he had to be more cautious, which he did, rather masterfully, while still being a presence.

But it was no secret that the battle was lost in the midfield. Everton’s pressure broke the Gunners concentration, broke their flow, and put the game in massive jeopardy. The midfielders abandoned their position and moved further out wide, where they could find more space.

All in all, Everton clearly blew up the Gunners scheme, and Watford will be well aware of how they did it. We need Torreira to stay out of the book so that he can enforce the rule of law against and keep the Gunners in control.

Onto No. 2.

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