We moved into the top four with a hard-fought win at Watford on Sunday in a rollercoaster of a game at Vicarage Road.
After the drama of our last Premier League clash some 10 days earlier against Wolves, Mikel Arteta would have been after a more serene affair this time around.
But his heart would have been in his mouth when, 19 seconds into the match, Emmanuel Dennis raced behind our defence and beat Aaron Ramsdale to seemingly open the scoring. The assistant referee’s flag spared us from an early concession though.
But a blockbuster opening to the match saw us take the lead minutes later as a slick move up the right saw the superb Martin Odegaard flick the ball to Bukayo Saka. Our England international raced up the right and picked out Odegaard, who took a touch before finding the far corner for his fifth goal of the campaign.
But our lead did not last long as the Hornets stung us with a sharp move up the right, with Kiko Femenia crossing for Cucho Hernandez to send a brilliant overhead kick past Ramsdale – and this time it did count.
We weren’t at our very best in the first half, but regained the lead when fine work by Saka to steal the ball in front of the Watford box saw his then find Alex Lacazette in the area. The captain did what he does best, holding off Craig Cathcart before playing it back to Saka to curl the ball high into the roof of the net.
We couldn’t add to our lead before the interval, but after half time we opened up a two goal advantage in clinical circumstances.
Credit to Saka, who took a quick throw to release Cedric up the right and he found Lacazette on the edge of the area, he then laid it off to Gabriel Martinelli and the Brazilian found the top corner with a fine first-time effort.
The game still had plenty of life still in it, and the hosts soon had a penalty shout waved away, with Moussa Sissoko and Tom Cleverley in quick succession.
Lacazette then had an opportunity to extend our lead after good work from Odegaard but fired wide, while Ben White skewed a volley wide when well placed.
Dennis had a big chance to pull one back for Watford in the closing stages but scuffed his shot with the goal gaping.
We kept pushing to kill off the game, and Eddie Nketiah – on for a matter of moments – nearly did just that but hit the post after a rapid counter attack.
But Roy Hodgson’s side added another twist when Sissoko forced the ball home from a tight angle, setting up a grandstand finish.
But despite a tense finale, we held on for the three points in another vital victory in the hunt for a top-four finish.
#arsenal #saka #martinelli
Enjoy match highlights, training and behind the scenes to get closer to the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Vivianne Miedema, Nicolas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette, Leah Williamson, Bernd Leno, Nikita Parris, Tobin Heath, Mana Iwabuchi, Jordan Nobbs, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kim Little, Gabriel Martinelli, Aaron Ramsdale, Beth Mead, Ben White, Thomas Partey and more.
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Camisetas Everton Información de primera mano del primer equipo de fútbol del Barça. Noticias de Piqué, Ansu Fati, Pedri y todos tus jugadores favoritos.
Looking at performances like this one, I'm not so sure about the idea of letting Laca go. Let's just say that if when he is out of goal scoring form he creates chances like now; then we're gonna have to remember how helpless Fernando Torres, Shevchenko, Balotelli and many other out of form strikers were when they lost their form. Keeping Laca may be a wise choice but then again risks are always to be considered; hence it's Arsenal's call.
SELL WHITE
Man the touches!
Siuuuuuuuu ?
I am a Chelsea fan but here to tell you that thats an amazing kit Arsenal donned in this match
Watford played too well. They were unlucky.
be bave you can beat livepol you can beat chelsea and tottenham .
be sprit and more ontargets
This win proves something special is happening here?
Watched the match live on Sunday start to finish. My dad enjoyed the game immensely, though he stated that Arsenal's defense is still leaky at times and gifts the ball to the opposition.
Watford is a club in trouble. Alongside them is Norwich and Burnley. What Arsenal should do is monitor these clubs and poach the best players at peanuts price. I am sure a scout will discover gems from these teams. I would also suggest scouting Everton and Leeds. I would also welcome the idea of Theo Walcott back at Arsenal.
Arteta needs to make priority decisions if he is to finish 4rth. Manchester United, West Ham and Tottenham are the chasing pack behind Arsenal. The gap is too small for any mistakes to be made. Any slip up and even 6th place would be a battle though I'm optimistic that Arsenal will give the fans their money's worth and finish in 4rth place(fingers crossed).
the arsenal we love seeing n been missing ???? magical arsenal
Arsenal coach and board steadily building a team of winners and Manchester doing stupid things…
kan va han tha vetvet em! ama'rawhchu game thunun chunga chak hi duhthusam a ni
Saka to laca back to saka what a goal ??
BAN RUSSia NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!
BAN RUSSIA NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BAN RUSSIA NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BAN RUSSIA NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BAN RUSSIA NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BAN RUSSIA NOW !!!!!
??????????
Best goal of the week probleme in one game
1 ?
2 ?
3 ?
4?
ARSENAL!!!!!!! Well done boys
Coyg
Hey Arsenal,
Do you remember how you reacted to Mesut Ozil when he wrote about Uighur Muslims on his social media accounts one time as follows:
''East Turkistan residents (referring to Uighur Muslims) are trying to be separated from their religion. They (China) closed mosques, madrasas, burned the Koran, and needed one by one religious leaders,''.
And the Arsenal club (which is stupid), responded to Ozil's statement
by choosing to withdraw. The club insists that the statement is the personal opinion of Mesut Ozil. This attitude was then followed by Arsenal's firm statement not to be involved in political issues.
And now suddenly you're talking politics in football, which is about Ukraine. How come you've changed now? Do you have double standards?
Humanity doesn't have double standards, you stupid.
No wonder you never win again in the Premier League.
Lacazec best pivot
What is this uniform of arsenal
Urrraaaaaa
I wish lacazette is scoring.. his performance in every game is top-notch and I love his zeal to win every match… even if he Is not scoring.. he is assisting. Love u brooo
That was poor marking from Ben white.. I miss Yomiyatsu so much… No composure..
United went hill
I’m not Arsenal fun but this is beautiful football
lacazette what a assists
아놔 요즘 개스날 왜 이래? 미쳤나…
That Martinelli goal….
Best performance
????❤??????
Gassss
❤️❤️?❤️❤️???
I think arteta has wengerball inbeded in him.
i rate him for not giving into pressure and signing somone in haste.
to follow and play the wengerball style takes a certain kind of player.
On tranding ???
odegaard and saka understanding is poetry ✨ode the artist and saka the poet