Arsenal Vs Watford: 5 things we learned – Aubameyang rescues Gunners

WATFORD, ENGLAND - APRIL 15: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on April 15, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND - APRIL 15: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on April 15, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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WATFORD, ENGLAND – APRIL 15: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal issues instructions during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on April 15, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND – APRIL 15: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal issues instructions during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Arsenal FC at Vicarage Road on April 15, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

3. Away problems not been solved

Much has been made of Arsenal’s away issues this season. Not one clean sheet on the road all year, the only team in the Premier League to suffer such a horrific record, and only five wins prior to Monday night, they were not considered good travellers, not by any stretch of the imagination.

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And so, to try and combat the many problems that comprised to lead to such a disastrous record, Unai Emery switched his team selection up. Out went the back three, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette were dropped, and Aaron Ramsey, Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka were used to field a more combative midfield.

As Emery’s rather desperate second-half substitutions illustrated, few of the changes worked. Yes, Arsenal may have won the game, but Watford — a ten-man Watford — were the better team and controlled the match other than a few periods of extended Arsenal possession.

Even though the clean-sheet statistic has been banished, even though the second away league win of 2019 was earned, the away problems have not been solved. And with trips to Leicester City, Wolves and Burnley still to come, they will be tested.