Arsenal vs Watford: 5 talking points from Premier League win

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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2. Fast Starts Are Now Arsenal’s Modus Operandi

As we have seen over the last three to four weeks, Arsenal has started games extremely well. In the case against Leicester, the game was won in the first 20 minutes. The side started well against Aston Villa too and were rewarded with a goal, while against Watford, it was a similarly quick fashion, even if the end result wasn’t the same.

Arsenal controlled possession and tried to get into dangerous areas to put the Watford defense under serious pressure. It looked like their fast start was rewarded as a goal was scored by Saka with less than 10 minutes played, however, VAR correctly ruled him to be offside.

That energy then tailed off as the visitors began to find their shape and organisation. Their mid-block setup nullified passing lanes centrally and even if the possession was heavily in the Gunners’ favour the routes to goal slowed down.

However, it does not feel like a flash in the pan anymore how Arsenal are starting games. It finally feels like Arteta has got full buy-in with the squad and the results are following. Liverpool up next will be a true test to see if the Gunners can continue their fast-starting ways.

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3. It Wasn’t Pretty but it Got the Job Done

Aesthetically speaking, it was not the finest Arsenal display.

But for the full 90 minutes, the side was on the front foot and looking to get that all-important first goal which they had to wait until the second half to come.

In previous seasons, with the game locked at 0-0, Arsenal had been guilty of trying to force the issue and this lead to mistakes that opponents took advantage of. However, today, the Gunners did not let up or break away from the gameplan and constantly pushed Watford deep into their half.

With the game still at 1-0 late in the game, the home side did get a little nervy as Arteta was visibly irate as his side seemed to fall back into the ‘preservation’ mode that cost them so dearly against Crystal Palace. A hugely physical game with the away side seeking to kick the Gunners off the park meant matching the aggression was key, and Arsenal did.

Fortunately, the team did enough to see the game out and keep their unbeaten run going which stands at 10 matches.

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4. Thomas Partey’s Absence Through Injury Was Felt

The Ghanaian was missing due to a groin strain and Arsenal felt the void left by the 28-year-old.

The home side lacked the presence in midfield that Partey brings along with his excellent distribution going forward, and his ability to break up the play and feed line breaking passes, especially in the first half, was missed.

What was a positive sign is that Maitland-Niles brought such great energy into the midfield and put in a battling display.

It was not the best of afternoons for Sambi but as a midfield duo he and Maitland-Niles started to click early in the second half and found their spaces better. Then, as the game progressed, Sambi was being pressed into submission in the middle and needed more bodies around him in support. Partey would have come in handy in those instances, just to bring some calmness.

Against the better sides, it will be a true test depending on how long Partey is out for and if he is missing against Liverpool, then we will really see his true value. However, Arteta said post-match that he may not travel with Ghana for their international fixtures, so everyone will have to wait and see.

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5. Another Game, Another Clean Sheet for Arsenal

Arsenal’s defense has been superb over the last 10 games. With Benjamin White, Gabriel, Tavares/Tierney, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, the Arsenal rearguard has only conceded four goals, two of which came against Crystal Palace.

Against Watford, Arsenal barely gave the visitors a sniff. Josh King was kept quiet and his threat in behind limited to the occasional run down the channel that led to nothing.

Despite the 1-0 scoreline, it never looked in any real danger as White and Gabriel continued their impressive form as a partnership. What was once Arsenal’s Achilles heel is not perhaps one of their biggest strengths. These are two fine defenders.

Rarely did Arsenal give Watford a clear-cut opportunity in the match and that produces an ideal platform in matches when the defense keeps the opposition at arm’s length. Watford had plenty of pace they could not use on Sunday, clocking up a measly xG of 0.45.

This will be put to the ultimate test against Liverpool. But, overall, the signs are extremely positive for a once weak Arsenal back four that has found its strength and no-nonsense defending.

Aaron Ramsdale has kept as many clean sheets already this season than he had in the entire 2019/20 and 2020/21 Premier League campaigns with Bournemouth and Sheffield United respectively – even if he gave everyone a fright near the end.