Watford vs Arsenal: 4 pre-match talking points
3. Bukayo Saka & Emile Smith Rowe Need to be Direct
The way Hodgson sets his teams up in their defensive shape is designed to benefit them, of course, but can be exploited by the opposition.
When their opponent is in possession they squeeze into their shape and keep their distances tight, shifting as a unit laterally across the pitch with the aim of being in position to win the ball back and quickly play the forward on the opposite side into space.
If Arsenal switch the play quick enough they’ll find their own wide players, making this a game for Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka to get stuck into their full-backs.
Saka has blossomed into one of the finest 2v1 forwards in the league. His ability to wriggle out of a double marking situation is immense for a player of his age, and more of that direct running can give Hassane Kamara the toughest game he’s had since joining the club in January.
On the opposite side Hodgson still hasn’t settled on a right-back. Kiko Femenia was dropped for the 0-0 draw against United with Jeremy Ngakia taking his place, and the 21-year-old was the weakest link in the Hornets defence despite their clean sheet. Coming off in the second half as fatigue set in, if he’s back in the team then Smith Rowe, or Gabriel Martinelli, have their target.
Furthermore, if either wide player does beat their man then getting the ball into the box completely disrupts Watford. They fall apart positionally when you get in behind them.
For Sunday, Arteta should be instructing his wide players to get at the full-backs whenever they can.
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