Arsenal vs Watford: What we learnt from 3-2 win over Watford

Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli scored for Arsenal, as Gunners took a crucial 3-2 win over bottom side Watford. Though the Hornets are 19th in the table, no one can underestimate a high performing team, especially fighting against a possible relegation.

This further emphasizes the importance of the win, as Arsenal not only remained the top contender for the Champions League qualification but also maintained their dominance over the so-called Minnows of the league. To be a top 4 team, you have to have some dominance and control over the bottom half teams.

With this win, Arsenal now cemented their position in the top 4. While realistically they can now challenge Chelsea for 3rd spot, there are many complex permutations and combinations involved in it.

The 3-2 win was Gunners’ 7th win (out of a total of 15) with 1 goal margin this season and was again a hard-fought one. Let us go through some of the noting points from the match for the fans and the team.

1. Young Gunners are firing on all cylinders

Arteta’s men dominated the game and it was youngsters who managed to find the back of the net. Saka scored his 8th goal of the season, just 1 behind his hale-ender Emile Smith Row.

Bukayo Saka 🆚 Emile Smith Rowe

The race to be our top scorer is on! Any rivalry there, @BukayoSaka87? 😉 #WATARS

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 6, 2022

Ødegaard and Martinelli have also managed to chip in with some important goals in a timely manner. Ødegaard now has 5 goals and 3 assists in this season, while the young Brazilian has 5 Goals.

2. Lacazette is happy to assist

Saka and Martinelli scored Arsenal’s 2nd and 3rd goal against Watford, but Lacazette did more than 60% of the work to give youngsters a clean view and shot on target. Frenchman not only gave them perfect passes for the goals, but he held off the defense and allowed the shooter to have a 1-on-1 chance with the keeper. Too bad he is set to leave in the summer.

Alaxender Lacazette — Lacazette making an assist

It was intelligent play on both occasions and Laca seems to enjoy it. He only has 3 goals this season and is being heavily criticized for his output. But the 30-year old striker is aware of the situation and is making decisions in favor of the team only.

3. Arteta “Assist” against Watford – a brilliant Arsenal move

Manager Mikel Arteta’s quick thinking and Saka’s throw-in led to Gunner’s 3rd goal of the Math. It proved to be the most important goal as Watford looked more threatening with a late goal in the match.

No doubt the boss played a major role in the goal, coming out of the technical area for a quick counter-attacking pass. Then the one-touch passes eventually culminating in the goal were also soothing to the Gooners.

4. Defense is not 100% shatterproof

“Goals can win you matches and strong defense can win you championships”. It is certainly the opponent’s quality finishing which we have to give credit to, but the defense can still improve a lot for the Gunners. Arsenal has defended 1 goal advantage for 7 matches this season but conceded some needless goals to put the team under needless pressure.

Gunners are 4th in the table right now and 4th in the total clean sheets this season. As per the stats, we have City, Liverpool, and Chelsea occupying the exact spots for clean sheets as in the league table – underlining the importance of strong defense.

5. Some encouraging signs over the past few games including Arsenal vs Watford

We will not take even small positives away from the team, Like Partey’s immense improvement, Cedric filling in the role for Tomiyasu, and the flourishing connection on the right wing . All these are encouraging signs for the Gunners. Also, Nicolas Pepe, Eddie Nketiah, ESR, and Rob Holding are very capable replacements as seen in the past few games.

What are your views on the Game? Do let us know in the comment box.

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