Watford vs Arsenal: 4 pre-match talking points

Arsenal have 14 matches remaining of their season, and when the opportunity arises to claim three of the easier points on the calendar they must be taken.

Mikel Arteta’s side will have enjoyed a ten day rest between fixtures following the dramatic 2-1 win over Wolves, a game that almost feels like it took place last year considering how long the wait has been for action.

Huge improvements across various facets of the team have been noticeable of late, even since the reverse meeting against Watford back in November..

Emile Smith Rowe proved to be the difference maker at the Emirates with a controversial winning goal, one that came shortly after Danny Rose kicked the ball out of play to try and wind the clock down when a Watford player feigned injury.

Watford vs Arsenal: 4 pre-match talking points as Mikel Arteta’s side travel to Vicarage Road for Sunday’s Premier League clash

Arsenal took no notice, throwing the ball back to themselves as opposed to the opposition, and then there was what looked like a clear foul on Ismaila Sarr by Ainsley Maitland-Niles before Smith Rowe fired low and hard beyond Ben Foster.

That sparked a heated row between Claudio Ranieri and Arteta on the touchline, something we won’t see a repeat of with Roy Hodgson since taking over as the manager. While as he’s presided over minor improvements, Arsenal have come on leaps and bounds since.

This is a side who dominate matches more, create more chances, and keep things tighter at the back. With the Hornets languishing in 19th place and Arsenal chasing Champions League football, the odds are firmly stacked in the visitors’ favour to claim all the spoils.

Victory is far from assured, though. Watford can’t afford to drop many more points as they seek to stave of relegation, and a commanding and controlling performance from Arsenal will be needed.

Here’s four pre-match talking points and things we’d like to see from the team.

1. February Can’t Go to Waste

The emotion, atmosphere and importance of the victory over Wolves couldn’t be understated. When the equaliser went in and defeat seemed to be avoided, slowly you begin rationalising whether or not a single point would have sufficed in the circumstances.

It might have, but snatching the winner deep into stoppage time to make it a perfect February was one of the biggest results of the entire season.

But it could so easily go to waste.

Should Arsenal come up short and not claim the victory on Sunday then the win over Wolves will be swiftly forgotten about. Clinching three points in that manner gave fans and players alike the belief that this team can complete their objective of a top four finish. That feeling needs to carry on as long as it can.

Playing ahead of Manchester United and Tottenham this weekend, any additional pressure that can be put on their rivals is there for the taking.

If this team are to reach the promised land this season then nothing other than three points against an appalling side will suffice.

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