Match Preview: Watford vs Arsenal – Vital three points for both sides

Match Preview: Watford vs Arsenal – Vital three points for both sides

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Winless clubs Watford and Arsenal will both be hoping for a change in fortune when they square off at Vicarage Road this weekend.

Hosts Watford should face the Gunners with optimism despite their three most recent performances – a gruelling draw with Southampton, a commendable loss to Chelsea, and a distressing exit from the EFL cup. All three matches saw the Hornets succumb to opposition pressure late in the game, ultimately falling apart and surrendering their lead.

Arsenal have endured a difficult start to the new Premier League season, and will be expected to bounce back following their epic opening round loss to Liverpool and a goalless stalemate with reigning champions Leicester City. The pressure is mounting on manager Arsène Wenger, with fans voicing their discontent over an uninspiring start and a lack of action in the transfer market. Anything short of a win will be disastrous for the Gunners, and a confidence-boosting result will help alleviate this early anxiety.

Key Battle – Giroud’s timely return vs Watford’s yielding defence

Arsenal have struggled to find a suitable candidate for the centre-forward position, with preferred selection Olivier Giroud completing a restricted preseason following his long-lived commitments at Euro 2016, while his replacement in Alexis Sanchez has failed to grasp the requirements in what is an unfamiliar role for the Chilean. With Giroud’s impending return, the Hornets will need to ensure that they maintain a solid defensive line for the total 90 minutes, otherwise are risking further late-game heartbreak. The French striker and teammates will be keen to make amends for their indifferent start, and the question will be whether Watford’s defenders can stay alert and organised enough to suppress Arsenal’s attacking weapons.

Team News

Watford will likely make changes to the side that crashed out of the EFL Cup, with three players in line to debut for Mazzarri’s side. Human wrecking ball Younès Kaboul might be the answer to an insecure defence following his £3.5 million switch from Sunderland, and the former Spurs captain would like nothing more than to condemn Arsenal to further gloom. Daryl Janmaat made an instant return to the Premier League following his promising move to the Hornets and would be a reliable choice. Roberto Pererya, the record signing from Juventus, has been granted his work permit and will get his chance to impress against the Gunners.

Sanchez will be relieved of his futile efforts as the striker for Arsenal, as he makes way for the return of Giroud after the Frenchman completed 12 minutes off the bench against Leicester. Playing behind will be Mesut Özil, who also made his first season appearance last week due to his lengthy international commitments. The back four should remain unchanged, with the successful return of Laurent Koscielny a sight for sore Gooner eyes. Now settled in the deep-lying role, Granit Xhaka will be joined by Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla, or Mo Elneny as Wenger ponders on the winning formula.

WATARSex-compressor

Head-to-Head

Arsenal remain undefeated against Watford in the Premier League with six wins to zero, also averaging over 2.5 goals per game to assert their dominance in this fixture. However, the Hornets ended Wenger’s aspiration of a third successive FA Cup success, when they defeated their more-fancied opponent in the quarter-finals last season.

Previous Meeting

The Gunners hammered a Quique Flores side 4-0 in the latter stages of the 2015-16 season in a bid to keep their faint title chances alive. Goals to Sanchez, Alex Iwobi, Hector Bellerin, and Walcott compounded a disastrous night for the Hornets. who looks out of sorts from the first whistle.

Prediction

Both sides desperately need a win to reinstate belief and morale both internally and externally, however, the talented inclusions for Arsenal seem to outweigh the buoyant debutants for Watford. Wenger’s replenished list will soon click into gear and begin closing the gap between the league leaders, starting with a comprehensive win on the road.

Watford 0 Arsenal 3

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