MATCH REPORT: WATFORD 2-3 ARSENAL

Vicarage Road

Premier League

Sunday 6th March 2022

Watford 2 

Arsenal 3

Arsenal celebrate their opening goal. (Credit: arsenal.com)

Arsenal stretched their unbeaten run to five games and moved into the Champions League places with a well earnt 3-2 win at Watford. Another damaging defeat for the Hornets sees them remain one above bottom and three points from safety. 

 

The hosts took a shock lead after less than a minute, when Emmanuel Dennis slotted past Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. However, Watford celebrations were short lived as the Nigerian’s strike was chalked off for offside. 

Four minutes after this the Gunners had the ball in the back of the Watford net. A slick move was capped off with Bukayo Saka cutting the ball back to Martin Ødegaard who coolly side footed home into the bottom corner. This goal was the fastest that Mikel Arteta’s men have scored this season.

 

The hosts hit back swiftly and levelled the scores with an acrobatic Juan Hernández strike. A cross from Kiko Femenia was met by Hernández who fired home with a bicycle kick, for his third goal of the campaign. 

Despite this the Gunners regained their lead on the half hour mark. Alexandre Lacazette played a neat backheel into the path of Saka. The young Englishman lashed a ferocious drive into the top corner, leaving Ben Foster with no chance. 

Arsenal started the second half in similarly dominant style, and seven minutes into the second period they got a third. Lacazette once again got the assist with the Frenchman laying the ball off to Gabriel Martinelli who bent a peach of an effort into the top corner. This first-time finish was Martinelli’s fifth goal of the season. 

Eddie Nketiah went close to getting his name on the scoresheet, with the youngster firing a powerful drive against the foot of the post. 

With just three minutes left on the clock the hosts gave themselves hope. Hernández found former Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko over the top. The Frenchman chested the ball down before sliding the ball underneath Ramsdale and into the back of the net. However, it was too little too late for the Hornets as Arsenal held on to claim an important three points.

 

Another home defeat for Watford stretches their winless run at Vicarage Road to eight games. Their last win on home turf came back in November against Manchester United. A second victory over Watford this season for Arsenal sees them go seven games unbeaten against the Hornets. Furthermore the Gunners impressive away form continues, unbeaten on the road since December. 

 

By Nathan Williams