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Arsenal vs Watford: 5 talking points from Premier League win
By Adam Schultz
Well, it wasn’t the most beautiful game Arsenal has played but they got the all-important result against Watford thanks to a second-half strike from Emile Smith Rowe.
The first half was all Arsenal with the Hornets not testing Aaron Ramsdale once in the home net. All that was missing was some impetus, and a goal.
The home side dominated the opening 45 minutes and thought they had taken the lead through Bukayo Saka only for it to be ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
Later in the half Arsenal was awarded a penalty after Danny Rose clattered into Alexandre Lacazette. Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stepped up and produced a poor penalty as Ben Foster saved with relative ease.
5 talking points as Arsenal secured a hard fought 5-0 win over Watford in the Premier League on Arteta’s 100th match as manager
That’s now two consecutive misses from the spot for the skipper.
Gabriel nearly got the hosts noses in front shortly before the half-time whistle when he had a close range header expertly saved by Foster, with more needed from Mikel Arteta’s side after the break.
The second half went along similar lines to the first with the home side dominating possession and looking threatening, just unable to break the deadlock. That was until a customary mazy run from Benjamin White into the attacking half culminated with the ball falling to Smith Rowe who calmly slotted past Foster.
Arsenal held on for a gutsy win against their physical opponents to extend their unbeaten run and, as ever, there were plenty of talking points of out this one on what turned out to be a fine weekend for the club. Here are five.
1. Ainsley Maitland-Niles Impresses in Midfield Again
Handed a start against the Hornets due to Thomas Partey’s groin injury, the 24-year-old hardly put a foot wrong all day. He was energetic in midfield, industrious, and wasn’t afraid of the physical nature that some of Watford’s midfielders tried to implement.
Maitland-Niles did all the simple elements extremely well and is looking at home in the center of the pitch for Arteta.
He formed a decent partnership with Albert Sambi Lokonga as they enjoyed long spells of possession and made good use of it as well. More importantly, his tenacity in the middle of the park was crucial with some key interceptions, ball recoveries and tackles.
When Partey departs for the Africa Cup of Nations in January, Maitland-Niles is putting his hand up as a viable option to replace the Ghanaian, even if Granit Xhaka is fit.
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