Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Watford: 5 things we learned – Bernd Leno, here’s your chance

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Bernd Leno of Arsenal comes on as a substitute for Petr Cech during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Watford FC at Emirates Stadium on September 29, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Bernd Leno of Arsenal comes on as a substitute for Petr Cech during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Watford FC at Emirates Stadium on September 29, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Bernd Leno
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Bernd Leno of Arsenal comes on as a substitute for Petr Cech during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Watford FC at Emirates Stadium on September 29, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Arsenal hosted Watford on Saturday afternoon as they returned to Premier League action. Here are five things we learned from the 2-0 win.

Arsenal were able to squeeze out another victory against Watford on Saturday afternoon, their fifth in succession in the Premier League. They did not play especially well and were under pressure for much of the match. But they battled through difficult periods and found two late goals to secure the three points.

Catch the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast right here

Here are five things we learned from the 2-0 win.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Troy Deeney of Watford takes the ball away from Aaron Ramsey (R) of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Watford FC at Emirates Stadium on September 29, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 29: Troy Deeney of Watford takes the ball away from Aaron Ramsey (R) of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Watford FC at Emirates Stadium on September 29, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

5. The pros and cons of Ramsey starting

Aaron Ramsey is one of Arsenal’s best players. It is natural for Unai Emery to want to play him. Every manager wants to play his best players. It gives his team the best chance of winning. And Ramsey gives Arsenal the best chance of winning. But that does not mean that he should be starting.

I can understand Emery wanting to start Ramsey. But it’s clear that he will not be a part of the future of this team — and he doesn’t actually fit into the current system that Emery is employing, nevermind once he departs. It might be time for Emery to plan for the future, a future that will almost certainly not include Ramsey.

It seems clear that the club, with or without Emery’s blessing, has chosen to move on from Ramsey. It thereby seems sensible that Emery begins to set his team up without Ramsey. He will have to soon, so why not get ahead of the game.