Arsenal going for Champions league place as they move up to fourth. When Mikel Arteta took over at Arsenal to replace Unai Emery, critics, as well as fans, questioned his appointment, owning to the fact that he had little managerial experience, only been assistant coach to pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard has proven his doubters wrong with his young Arsenal side leading the charge and having climbed above united into the champions league spot with three games in hand.
The Hornet started the game on fire with Nigerian international and Watford top Scorer Emmanuel Dennis put his side ahead after just 16seconds, the goal was rightly ruled out for offside by the referee.
The Gunners took then the lead through Martin Odegaard who fired the ball into the net after receiving a cut back from Bukayo Saka.
6 minutes later Watford got thier reward as Cucho Hernandez’s acrobatic finish flew past the helpless Ramsdale.
Bukayo Saka then restored his side’s lead on the 30th minutes as a lovely one two football with Alexandra Lacazette allowed the England international to fire the team into a two-goal lead at halftime. Thereby making him, Bukayo Saka (20y 182d) the youngest player to score 20 goals in all competitions for Arsenal since Cesc Fabregas (20y 141d) in 2007.
Arsenal then came close again with, Watford goalkeeper denying them a third goal. Roy Hodson’s men tried to equalize but wayward finishing from Emmanuel Dennis kept the score at 1: 2 in favour of the visitors.
The pressure continued to mount as Arsenal add a third goal through Gabrielle Martinelli in the 52nd minute, with Lacazette providing his second assist of the game taking his assist to 8 assist in the last nine games.
Roy Hodson rag the changes as they seek to get a foothold in the game, Nigerian international Samuel Kalu making his long-awaited debut since arriving from Bordeaux in the winter transfer window.
Watford captain and France international Moussa Sissoko would later pull one back for the Hornet as the game ended in a 2:3 win for the Gunners .
Mikel Arteta speaking:
Mikel Arteta on playing a role in Arsenal’s third goal against Watford: “I saw an advantage and I took it; we have to be alive and that is the way I live the game. I try to instil that in the team as well.”
Arteta: “We were really good going forward and we scored three magnificent goals, but we didn’t have the same energy and commitment defensively. And when that happens away from home, you are going to suffer and that’s why we suffered today.”
Arsenal will look to consolidate their position on the table and hope to capitalize on their games in hand to pull away from their closest challengers Manchester United in the race for a champions league spot.
