Kevin Whitcher
It was the kind of fixture that Arsenal had to take three points from if their aspirations to challenge for the title this season were to be proved genuine, and for the first 45 minutes, it looked as if they might be frustrated.
Watford’s defensive record at home before this game, one goal conceded in four matches, did not augur well. However, they had also only scored once in that time. In the first half, you could see why, as their forwards demonstrated their lack of quality, the most guilty culprit Anya missing a gilt-edged chance. The Gunners, during the opening 45 minutes, were far from convincing in defence. After shutting out Manchester United, one hoped for better. Cech and Mertersacker almost conspired to gift the home side a goal to aid the chances of Quique Flores’ side. Arsenal also had plenty of attacks, amidst their domination of possession, Aaron Ramsey missing their best chance by firing over from close range. Overall though, there appeared a lack of pace in the Gunners’ game, except for Theo Walcott falling for the offside trap. The new first choice centre forward had a relatively ineffectual game.
The second half was a tale of the visiting team gradually wear Watford down, and the chances were more at one end. Ozil had been relatively quiet for much of the game up to the first goal, but was key in the build up to Alexis’ conversion when it came. Would it have been a penalty had the Chilean not converted after Ozil was bundled over in the box? It saved the ref a tricky decision, but I suspect he might not have given it, arguing the defender had touched the ball first.
After that, it really did look like there was only going to be one result, and more good play from Ozil set up sub Giroud for the second. A third duly followed, with excellent attacking by Hector Bellerin to set up Ramsey. Going forward, there is no question the Spaniard is a real threat. If he could improve his defensive work, I suspect it won’t be long before the Spanish national side come calling (or worse still Barcelona).
So, a comprehensive victory after some early wobbles. Defensive focus needs to be worked on, and there is a definite argument that Gabriel and Koscielny are a more effective pair than Mertesacker and the Frenchman. When the high line does not produce an offside call, if the ball is played in behind Mertesacker, danger is almost inevitable, and Koscielny bailed his partner out on one notable occasion in the first half with a key interception. It will be interesting to see who is selected on Tuesday evening against Bayern.
With that fixture, I think we will see, allowing for a change at centre-back, a similar line-up to yesterday’s. Wenger will want to progress from the group stage if he can, and a win against the German champions, however difficult, would give them some hope. If the team fail to win, I think then we would see a lesser line-up for the return game in Munich. Realistically, Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League are always going to be better than winning the Champions League, at least until they find themselves in the last four, which hasn’t happened since 2009.
For now, domestic ambitions depend on picking up the points to stay in the mix and await the key fixtures against the main challengers. The attack is producing goals, but the defence needs to present less opportunities. Better forwards will take advantage. And sad to say it, that really means the BFG may have to take a place on the bench before the next time he is badly exposed leads to a goal.
I am now on Twitter@KevinWhitcher01.
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