Arsenal: 3 standout individual performances vs Watford

Another much-needed win, and another game with excellent Arsenal performances across the pitch.

While proceedings got a bit nervy at the end – and unnecessarily so – the game marked Arsenal’s fourth win in a row, and eighth win in the past ten matches. Momentum is with the red part of London and with rivals continuing to stumble, the likelihood of getting top four increases every week.

Furthermore, Arsenal getting into the point in the top four while still having their games in hand in tact is huge credit to everyone involved. Consistency is key and the side have found it even if the 3-2 win was far from one of the more complete performances of the season.

Solid team performances will be imperative to bringing Champions League back to the Emirates. Everyone has to be on the same page.

Watford 2-3 Arsenal: 3 standout individual performances as Mikel Arteta’s side move into the top four in the Premier League table

Yet among these performances against tricky teams there are almost always one or two players operating at a different level. The functioning of the unit must certainly be praised but individual showings need recognizing as well.

In this game there were three standout individual performances.

3. Alexandre Lacazette

Perceptions of Alexandre Lacazette’s displays have waxed and waned since the moment he stepped through the door: some will claim that his finishing is poor and that he doesn’t score enough goals to necessitate his place in the side, while others will argue that this lack of goal threat is offset by his work rate and effectiveness in build up play. Those are not mutually exclusive stances to hold. Both can be true.

Regardless of where you stand, there is no arguing that Lacazette as the senior most striker at the club and since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s move, the Frenchman has stepped up.

Lacazette has nine goal contributions in his last ten Premier League appearances. Only one of them has been a goal from open play. Yet the way the striker moves and allows those around him to thrive signals why he starts game after game. Setting up Saka’s goal with a brilliant turn and flick, and placing the ball exactly where Martinelli needed it with an exceptional;y weighted first touch, is only part of what he brings.

He leads by example. The captain’s armband has not cursed him….at least not yet. He tracks back without the ball as well. Additionally, he draws attention from the center-backs by creating midfield overloads, keeping them occupied and being that physical focal point allows the wide players to make incisive runs from out to in.

While his goal tally is always concerning, he is integral to the team. Arsenal’s form has coincided with him being up front. It’s no coincidence that everything is clicking.

Continued on next page…