Result
Sunday’s early Premier League kick-off saw Arsenal face a trip to Vicarage Road for a meeting with relegation-battling Watford. The Gunners were well aware a win would see them climb into the top-four and very likley stay there with a weak Manchester United facing Manchester City later in the day.
And, when all was said and done, Arsenal would come away with a 3-2 win and move into the top-four.
Watford had the ball in the back of the net after just 16 seconds vs Arsenal but it was ruled out for offside.
Arsenal would then score an early goal of their own with this one actually standing.
Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka would combine well down the right, with the Norwegian finishing off a well-worked move.
Arsenal take the lead at Vicarage Road and what a slick move it was! 👏
Martin Ødegaard with a calm finish to cap off a wonderful move from the Gunners! 👇 pic.twitter.com/M6hclibdq6
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 6, 2022
But Arsenal’s lead did not last long, with Cucho Hernandez scoring a stunning overhead kick after 11 minutes.
The tie then became an end-to-end affair with Arsenal the next side to find the net. Bukayo Saka was once again involved, this time linking up with Alexandre Lacazette before smashing a shot past Foster from the edge of the box.
“He’s made one and scored one!” 💪
Bukayo Saka puts Arsenal back in front against Watford with a clinical finish 🎯 pic.twitter.com/89ffLWp8Xx
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 6, 2022
That goal appeared to suck the life out of Watford, with Arsenal going on to score their 3rd of the day 52 minutes in. Sissoko pulled one back late on but it was too little, too late.
Arsenal player ratings
Aaron Ramsdale (5) – Bit of a late dive for the Hernandez goal and his positioning and distribution was not the best throughout the clash. Should have done better for Watford’s second.
Cedric (5.5) – Should have been marking Hernandez tighter for his goal, sloppy in possession on occasion.
Ben White (4.5) – Like Cedric, White’s defensive awareness for the Hernandez goal was not good enough. Was then largely at fault for the Sissoko goal.
Gabriel (6.5) – A fairly solid game that saw him win a number of duels and put in some key tackles.
Kieran Tierney (6) – Far from Tierney’s best game in an Arsenal shirt with his passing particularly lackluster.
Thomas Partey (7.5) – Started a number of attacks with his impressive long-range passing and was also defensively sound. The jury remains out on Partey’s shooting.
Granit Xhaka (6) – A quiet display from Xhaka but his passing on the day was solid and helped Arsenal control the tie.
Gabriel Martinelli (7) – An uneventful first half but he then placed a lovely curling effort into the top left of Foster’s net. Taken off after 72 minutes.
Martin Odegaard (9) – Scored the opening goal of the day and was crucial in the build-up to said goal, finding Saka with a clever pass. Odegaard also found Lacazette with a lovely, dinked pass in the build-up to Arsenal’s 3rd.
Bukayo Saka (9) – Linked up well with Odegaard for the opening goal. Saka would then score Arsenal’s second of the day, winning the ball from Tom Cleverly before finding Lacazette who then laid off the Englishman for his goal.
Alexandre Lacazette (9) – Does not score too many goals but was once again instrumental to Arsenal’s attack vs Watford, pressing well and setting Saka up for Arsenal’s second and Martinelli for their 3rd with a cute lay-off. Taken off after 78 minutes.
Subs
Nicolas Pepe (4) – On for the final 20 minutes, did not do much.
Eddie Nketiah (4) – On for the final 10 minutes, nearly scored with one of his first touches but hit the post.
Rob Holding – On for injury-time to help ensure Watford did not find an equaliser, which they did not.
Watford player ratings
Ben Foster (4) – Did not do too much wrong for the opening goal, wrong-footed for the second. Considering he conceded three he did not play terribly.
Kiko Femenia (5) – Provided the assist for Hernandez’s equaliser but did little else of note.
Samir (3) – Did not make a single block, tackle or interception in the first half whilst also losing possession a few times.
Craig Cathcart (4) – A slightly better display than his centre-back partner but still not great from Cathcart.
Hassane Kamara (3.5) – Struggled to deal with Saka and Odegaard throughout the game.
Tom Cleverley (3) – Poor touch and lack of awareness near his own box led to Arsenal’s second goal.
Imran Louza (4) – Could have been tighter to Saka ahead of Arsenal’s second goal.
Moussa Sissoko (4) – Really struggled to deal with Arsenal’s fast-paced passing moves on the day.
Joao Pedro (4.5) – Did pose something of a threat down Arsenal’s right with a number of good runs but failed to make any of them count.
Emmanuel Dennis (3.5) – Scored after 16 seconds but was offside. Had a very quiet game after that, missing a big chance late on.
Cucho Hernandez (8) – Equalised for Watford after an early setback with a sensational overhead kick and then set up Sissoko for their second. By far and away Watford’s biggest threat on Sunday.
Subs
Edo Kayembe (3) – Came on after 64 minutes and did little of note.
Samuel Kalu (N/A) – Only on the pitch for a few minutes.
What they said
What you may have missed
Mikel Arteta’s quick thinking in the build-up to Arsenal’s 3rd:
Mikel Arteta the ultimate ball boy🧠
(via @NBCSportsSoccer)pic.twitter.com/19oMAa3oBg
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 6, 2022
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The Premier League table as it stands
| # | Team | MP | W | D | L | F | A | D | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester City | 27 | 21 | 3 | 3 | 64 | 17 | 47 | 66 |
| 2 | Liverpool FC | 27 | 19 | 6 | 2 | 71 | 20 | 51 | 63 |
| 3 | Chelsea FC | 26 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 53 | 18 | 35 | 53 |
| 4 | Manchester United | 27 | 13 | 8 | 6 | 44 | 34 | 10 | 47 |
| 5 | West Ham United | 28 | 13 | 6 | 9 | 46 | 35 | 11 | 45 |
| 6 | Arsenal FC | 24 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 38 | 27 | 11 | 45 |
| 7 | Tottenham Hotspur | 25 | 13 | 3 | 9 | 35 | 32 | 3 | 42 |
| 8 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 27 | 12 | 4 | 11 | 24 | 23 | 1 | 40 |
| 9 | Southampton FC | 27 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 34 | 41 | -7 | 35 |
| 10 | Crystal Palace | 28 | 7 | 12 | 9 | 39 | 38 | 1 | 33 |
| 11 | Aston Villa | 26 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 37 | 37 | 0 | 33 |
| 12 | Leicester City | 25 | 9 | 6 | 10 | 40 | 43 | -3 | 33 |
| 13 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 27 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 26 | 32 | -6 | 33 |
| 14 | Newcastle United | 26 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 30 | 46 | -16 | 28 |
| 15 | Brentford FC | 28 | 7 | 6 | 15 | 30 | 45 | -15 | 27 |
| 16 | Leeds United | 27 | 5 | 8 | 14 | 29 | 61 | -32 | 23 |
| 17 | Everton FC | 24 | 6 | 4 | 14 | 28 | 41 | -13 | 22 |
| 18 | Burnley FC | 26 | 3 | 12 | 11 | 22 | 36 | -14 | 21 |
| 19 | Watford FC | 26 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 25 | 47 | -22 | 19 |
| 20 | Norwich City | 27 | 4 | 5 | 18 | 16 | 58 | -42 | 17 |
Last updated: 1 min ago
