After being dumped out of the FA Cup just shy of three weeks ago, Arsenal will be seeking retribution when they tussle with Watford at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The Hornets will fancy themselves to inflict more pain on the Gunners, who are in a precarious position where they cannot afford any slip ups from here on out if they are to have any chance to winning the Premier League title.
Goals from Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi ensured Arsene Wenger’s side returned to winning ways with a commanding 2-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park, providing a much needed injection of confidence after their torrid run of results that included that shock 2-1 defeat to their London compatriots.
Watford were bought back down to earth following their cup win when they were downed 2-1 at Stoke City. Sitting 11 points from the drop zone but just one point from their last four matches, Quique Sanchez Flores’ side will be keen to finish their domestic campaign strongly after a fine first season back in the Premiership after an eight-year absence.
Key Battle: Can Arsenal unlock a stubborn Watford defence?
The visitors will be looking to use their cup victory as a blue print to frustrate the Gunners once more. Sanchez Flores’ tactics were visible from the outset – defend deep in a compact manner with their dogged midfield to screen their defence, whilst also stifling the home sides intricate passing game.
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Arsenal must look to up their tempo and shift the ball with more urgency in an attempt to manipulate the Watford back four. Mesut Ozil will once again be vital in providing that creative hub by getting in between the lines and feeding the Gunners mobile attacking threats of Iwobi, Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez.
For the forward trio to have an influence they must extract space in behind the Watford defence, something they struggled to achieve in their last meeting. With no Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere or Tomas Rosicky, Ozil’s craft holds the key for Arsenal if they are to find their attacking mojo, having scored just 19 goals in their home surroundings this year.
The Gunners must also be aware of Watford’s ability to counter-punch, with Troy Deeney, Odion Ighalo and Adlène Guedioura all proving to be a major thorn in Arsenal’s side last time out. Deeney and Ighalo in particular caused Per Mertesacker and Gabriel all sorts of headaches, as the two have formed a menacing partnership up front for the Hornets this term.
Team News:
It was good news for Wenger this week with Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky returning to full training but this game has come soon, as it has for Aaron Ramsey, Petr Cech, Mathieu Flamini and Alex Oxalde Chamberlain who all remained sidelined.
After returning to winning ways on Merseyside it’s almost certain that Wenger will continue with the same lineup that included Gabriel partnering Laurent Koscielny in central defence and Mohammed Elneny and Francis Coquelin the midfield axis.
Following the international break, Sanchez Flores has admitted that his side’s preparation has been less then ideal and he will monitor each returning member diligently before contemplating the starting lineup he will select.
Behrami and Sebastian Prodl are both in doubt due to illness, while Joel Ekstrand has returned to full training after a hamstring strain.
Head-to-Head:
The London based clubs has met on 23 occasions with Arsenal winning 12 of those compared to Watford’s ten. The Hornet’s haven’t beaten the Gunners in the top flight since 1988.
Previous Meeting:
As mentioned previously, goals from Ighalo and Guedioura saw Watford stun the holders to advance to the semi’s final. Back in October, Arsenal defeated the Hornets 3-0 at Vicarage Road.
Prediction:
It’s now or never for Arsenal who require eight wins from their remaining eight games if they are to be lifting silverware come May. They are currently lag eleven points behind leaders Leicester City and sit just four points above Manchester City who occupy fourth spot. With Watford without a league win since February you would expect the home side to pocket the three points and keep their flicking title aspirations alive.
Arsenal 2 Watford 1
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