Arsenal: 4 talking points from 3-2 win over Watford

Arsenal climbed into the top four with a well-earned 3-2 Premier League win over Watford, one that ended nervier than it should have.

Mikel Arteta fielded the same lineup that fought to the death in a superb win over Wolves last time out, with Emile Smith Rowe unavailable after testing positive for COVID and Takehiro Tomiyasu again missing with a calf injury.

Watford had the ball in the back of the net inside 30 seconds, but Emmanuel Dennis was adjudged to be offside, although Arsenal took the lead just minutes later after. A clever interchange from Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka ended with the Norwegian elegantly sliding the ball past Ben Foster in the Watford goal with just five minutes gone.

Watford equalized after a superb move ended with Cucho Hernandez producing a fabulous acrobatic effort past Aaron Ramsdale. Arsenal regained the lead just after the half-hour mark with Saka winning the ball back in the Watford half before feeding Alexandre Lacazette who produced a neat flick for the returning Saka to lash a shot home.

Watford 2-3 Arsenal: 4 talking points as Odegaard, Saka and Martinelli fire Gunners into Premier League top four on Sunday

A slick Arsenal side headed to the sheds 2-1 to the good.

Arsenal continued its dominance after the break and it only took seven minutes to double their lead. After a quickly taken thrown in from Saka found Cedric, neat one-touch passes from Odegaard and Lacazette ended with the ball falling to Martinelli on the edge of the box who then thundered home into the top corner.

Moussa Sissoko did give Watford life with just minutes remaining with a well-taken finish from close range. However, Arsenal held on and moved into the top four.

The game provided plenty of talking points, here they are.

1. It Was a Thomas Party

The Ghanaian international was superb in the middle of the park – again.

Constantly pushing his team forward and providing plenty of drive out of midfield, his silky and classy touches to go past defenders or to create a little bit of space were at their finest. This is someone oozing confidence at the minute, with each feint of the body more elegant than the next.

Throughout the game his presence was felt as he constantly kept Arsenal ticking over. He won more duels (8), completed more take-ons (3) & won more aerial duels (3) than any other Arsenal player against Watford, while also completing the most passes on the pitch (69), and reclaiming possession or keeping hold of it in the face of danger. Being the lone pivot adds more pressure on him to protect the ball, and yet he appears to be relishing in the responsibility.

His performance today was well worth his price tag as it was this kind of midfield supremacy that he was bought for. An assured display in which he was the single roadblock for Watford going forward. This version of Partey is the best seen since he arrived at the club. Easily.

Today, Thomas had a party.

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2. Martin Odegaard is the Heir to Ozil’s Crown

That might be a bit early for some, but Martin Odegaard was on a different level to just about every other player today. His goal early in the first half was a joy to watch as he linked up expertly with Saka – a partnership that is blossoming – and then delightfully caressed the ball into the net to finish. The guy just oozes class.

His ability to link up with Saka down the right-hand side, particularly in the first half, caused Watford all sorts of problems as the Norwegian was the main catalyst for Arsenal’s dominance.

Odegaard’s deft little flicks, neat little triangles with Cedric and Saka, and command of the ball were mesmerizing and eerily similar to Ozil during his peak Arsenal days. It’s the intelligence he shows which rings a bell to the German: he knows when to hold onto possession and when to release, how many touches to take and how weighted the pass should be.

What made this performance from Odegaard additionally special is that it was away from home. It is easier doing it in the comforts of the Emirates, whereas today, on the road, the Norwegian was on another planet.

Bought for just £34m? My word Arsenal and Arteta have done supreme business. Equally, what the heck is wrong with Real Madrid who have an ageing midfield and play in a 4-3-3? Incredible decision to let him go, especially for that price.

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3. Opportunity Taken Again as Arsenal Go Fourth

It’s something that is becoming more regular, and is sure is a breath of fresh air. With the three points tucked away in their pockets, Arsenal is into the Premier League top four with three games in hand over Manchester United.

After such a torrid start to the year in which Arsenal lost the first three games of the season, scoring no goals, to be in this position is an incredible achievement. To have done without needing to use the games in hand is even more impressive.

When their rivals have slipped up, Arsenal have found consistency.

Champions League football is now firmly on the mind and, for once, Arsenal has their European football dreams in its own hands. Three points and three games in hand over West Ham in fifth and six points and considerable goal difference ahead of Tottenham, the Gunners have it all in their path. It’s now 25 points out of a possible 30 since the defeat at Goodison Park.

The goal is simple: maintain this level of play and next season Champions League football is back at the Emirates. With players in this squad who are of the calibre of that competition, they’re in with more than a fighting chance.

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4. Bukayo Saka is a Champions League Footballer

It’s a weekly occurrence. Words don’t do him justice anymore. It’s almost as if you need to break out into song and dance to even attempt to quantify how sensational this young man is.

Today Saka was unplayable as he terrorized the Watford defense into submission. His link-up play with Odegaard was a sight to behold, as were his every dribble and runs beyond, which Cedric helped facilitate.

His goal was a thing of beauty. After showing grit and determination to win the ball back he then laid it off to Lacazette who teed the 20-year-old up to lash home in emphatic style. His ability to hold off defenders despite his light frame and bring others into the game meant he was always a threat even when not running at goal.

Such was his domination on the game Watford often had to triple-team the youngster, only to have him beautifully lay the ball off expertly or beat a man to keep Arsenal going forward.

This level of performance is ridiculous from someone who is only 20 years old, but it is now the normal expectation from the star winger. It’s remarkable to even consider he can actually transcend his current level.

You can’t say enough about this generational talent – don’t ever doubt that he isn’t – as he again produced another Man of the Match performance.