“The target now is to re-focus on what we want to achieve. We play against Watford who have conceded only one goal at home and defend very well. They are a very difficult team to play against so we have to focus to get a positive result on Saturday.”- Arsene Wenger.
Welcome back! We have survived yet another ill-timed international break. Yet this particular interlull has a slightly more positive cheer to it considering how well Arsenal stars have performed- Alexis, Walcott, Giroud, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Cazorla and Campbell all scored for their national sides, and Ozil registered two more assists for Germany as well. There also was the small matter of our 3-0 thumping of Manchester United which certainly gave many Gooners bragging rights for weeks, but we face an entirely different prospect when we make the trip to Vicarage Road to take on Watford in Saturday evening’s late kick-off. Arsenal, having scored just five goals in their first six league games, have scored eight in their last two league fixtures and twelve in their last four games in all competitions. The Gunners’ defence has also tightened up in recent weeks, as no side has conceded less than Arsenal’s seven so far in the league. We come up against a Watford side who have scored fewer goals than any other side (6), but have only conceded seven goals and, more ominously, have only conceded one goal when playing at home.
Arsenal come into this one in good domestic form, having won four of the last six, while Watford have drawn four of their eight games, the joint-highest tally in the division. Arsenal have won all five previous league games between the two sides, but this head-to-head history will count for precious little today considering the last time we played Watford was in 2006. Much has already been made of Watford’s defensive stability, but it can be further illustrated by the fact that they have kept four clean sheets, and have conceded more than one goal in only two games. We do, however, have a great recent record against promoted teams- we haven’t lost to a promoted side in the last three seasons and have dropped only four out of 54 points against promoted sides in this time.
Tactically speaking, this is already shaping up to be a clash of two unique styles, at least on paper. Consider this if you will:
| ARSENAL | WATFORD | |
| Possession | 55% (3rd) | 49% (13th) |
| Passing Accuracy | 86% (3rd) | 78% (15th) |
| Shots (total) | 160 (2nd) | 103 (11th) |
| Chances created | 125 (2nd) | 75 (13th) |
| Shots per game | 20 | 13 |
While Watford are a well-organized side, defending in good shape and running themselves into the ground, they will struggle to create chances. Of their six goals, five have come from Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo, with three assists from club captain and his strike partner Troy Deeney. So, stop the two and Watford will struggle to find alternative sources of goals. Valon Behrami and Etienne Capoue, who average 4.2/3.4 tackles and 3/3.3 interceptions per game, will provide valuable cover for their defence and will look to stem the attacking flow of Cazorla and Ozil in the middle of the park. The Hornets have, however, been playing Nathan Ake (on-loan from Chelsea) as a make-shift left-back, and seeing as he is naturally a defensive midfielder it will be interesting to see Hector Bellerin going at him today. My hope is that they will try to come out, press high and leave spaces in behind for Alexis and Walcott to exploit. Watford are yet to score a goal on the counter-attack, and have scored just once from a set-piece all season, and will need an improvement in this regard if they are to get on the scoresheet tonight as you’d imagine those are Arsenal’s weakest defensive points.
Onto team news now, and there is a slight chance Laurent Koscielny will feature as he has a late fitness test to pass, but with Bayern Munich up next on Tuesday you’d think the Frenchman won’t be risked today. Gabriel has deputized with distinction so far and has been a real bright spark at the back for us. Captain Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini will likely be fit and available for selection, but I will be surprised if Arsene Wenger makes any changes from the line-up that beat Manchester United so consummately last time out. Alexis Sanchez has scored six in his last three games for Arsenal and nine in his last five for club and country; so we’ll be hoping he can continue his purple patch. There is slight concern over the Chilean dynamite though, seeing as he limped off against United with a hip problem but then proceeded to play two full games for Chile:
“I cannot do a lot about it. He came off as you have seen against Manchester United with a hip problem, a problem with the rotator muscle and he wanted to go. He played in the last two games and we have to see how he comes back but it is always a tricky situation as Chile are trying to qualify for the World Cup and he is an important player for them but they will use him if they can. He is a guy that always wants to play so I knew that was always going to be a tricky situation.”
This promises to be a good, tight game in prospect so fingers crossed we’ll look back on this one in glee. Enjoy the game!
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