Many Arsenal fans were asking for a team performance and signs of resilience. They got their wish, but at the expense of the free flowing attacking football they normally enjoy. However, at this time and stage of the season, three points is all that matters which they got against Watford.
Arsenal face more tricky away encounters in the coming weeks in the premiership at Wolves, Leicester and Burnley and nothing is guaranteed.
Troy Deeney decided to help Arsenal’s cause with a misplaced elbow in the face of Lucas Torreira, which saw him sent off after just 11 minutes.
Arsenal were already a goal to the good after Aubameyang accepted a gift from Watford’s Foster, but that didn’t mean the home side were finished.
IT'S NOT PRETTY, BUT WE'LL TAKE IT! 😎
⚡️⚡️⚡️ AUUUUUUUUUBAAAAAAAAA ⚡️⚡️⚡️
🐝 0-1 🔴#WATARS pic.twitter.com/utrweqWwx0
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 15, 2019
Arsenal had to work hard to keep their opponents at bay. The excellent Bernd Leno and the woodwork prevented a comeback for Watford, but Arsenal had to grit their teeth right up to the final whistle.
Let’s See How The Players Fared Against Watford:
Leno-8*
Is becoming vital to the side. Another superb performance to keep Arsenal in the game, equal to the efforts of Capoue and Cathcart.
Mustafi-6
This player infuriates the hell out of me. Solid, then unstable, a bag of nerves or composed beyond belief. He is like Arsenal’s away form.
Better than usual in this one against Watford, first one in with a tackle for a change, his best game for a while but I expect him to go in the summer.
Kosceilny-7
Since coming back from injury, he is, without question, the most important player under the circumstances.
Never gives up, never gives in. He won’t be around forever and is currently making the most of it.
Mavropanos-6
I’m not sure why Emery pulled him off so early.
Yes, there were nerves and it wasn’t a perfect performance, but it was simple, neat and tidy. Never tried anything that would cost his team the points.
Monreal-4
He always gives what he has but his legs have gone. He has been a good servant to the club, but he is caught out too easily. The recent injury appears to have sapped a yard of pace.
Xhaka-6
Kept Torreira company in their role of defensive Husband and Wife in the middle.
Kept busy, but needs more game time. Not guilty of his usual glaring errors, wayward passes or hatchet tackles.
Torreira-6
Forceful and dominant in the middle, the heart of the Arsenal engine. Acted as a fire blanket against Watford which stopped his normal forward surges.
Mkhitaryan-5
What’s happened here.
Ian Wright was recently saying that the Armenian has not really given value for money and this did nothing to dispel that thought. Blew a chance and looked average.
Ramsey-5
Couldn’t replicate his performance against Napoli but this required a solid, combative Ramsey rather than the box to box marauder. Not on his game against Watford, although he was always trying.
Iwobi-6
Created the most chances and was entitled to be upset with those around him.
He offers a genuine threat from pace. Still lacks quality at times but he wasn’t the only one guilty of that.
Aubameyang-5
Well taken opportunist goal from a shocking mistake.The Gabonese striker only marks so low as a result of his teammates’ lack of creativity.
My main grumble is that he and Lacazette don’t get the service they deserve.
Ozil-4 (Torreira 46)
Never at the races and never got going against Watford.
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Guendouzi-5 (Mavropanos 59)
No point and no contribution. I’m not really sure why he was called upon because there was no genuine need.
Not a good day for him.
Maitland-Niles (Ramsey 68)
Difficult time to come on and a difficult game to settle in. Made a decent interception.
