Watford 2-2 Arsenal: 4 talking points in Arsenal playing a draw against Watford on the 5th game-day of the Premier League.
Arsenal had a dynamic start to the game, as they scored two goals in the first half of the game and it felt like Arsenal will seal the game with the lead they had.
However, to Arsenal’s horror, Watford made a comeback to draw the game to level the score by 2-2 to fetch points against The Gunners.
The harm is all on Arsenal as their mistakes allowed it to happen. Moreover, with Watford having a new manager, who had his debut game, Arsenal had a great chance to dominate Watford.
However, in the end, Unai Emery’s side were not able to sustain the two goal lead, since the pressure by Watford was not handled by Watford.
There is a lot to introspect for the North London club, since this came against one of the current vulnerable sides in the Premier League and Arsenal should have sealed the match after the lead they got in the initial minutes of the game.
Thus, we will discuss 4 talking points in the game, after Arsenal played a draw against Watford in the 5th gameweek of the Premier League.
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#1 Pierre Emrick Aubameyang maintains scoring spree
One of the positives for Arsenal after this game is Pierre-Emrick Aubameyang is still going strong and has managed to maintain his scoring spree, which could have been the reason for Arsenal’s victory.
In the last 5 games, Aubameyang has managed to find the net in four matches. Hence, contesting for the golden boot award, as he has to defend his title.
Yet, Arsenal did not sustain the lead provided by him till the end, and Watford fetched a point, even though it was not expected by the Hornets, since it seemed Arsenal will manage to limit them even after conceding the first goal.
#2 Gerard Deulofeu is too selfish
There are no doubts over Gerard Deulofeu’s talent and surely the Spanish forward makes Watford a much better side with his gameplay. However, at the same time Deulofeu is too selfish.
The 25-year-old forward tried unnecessary shots, instead he could have made final passes to have better outcome, many shots were from highly tight angles.
Moreover, he did not released the ball on time, and that is how Arsenal bailed themselves out in positions of vulnerability, whenever Deulofeu was on th ball.
The newly hired manager of Watford needs to look at the Spanish striker for the sake of further matches, as his judgement inside the opposite box could cost goals to Watford in matches ahead.
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#3 Substituting Ozil and Ceballos was wrong
Unai Emery wrongfully and untimely substituted Mesut Ozil and Dani Ceballos, as they were providing all the creativity in the middle of the park.
Moreover Arsenal certainly did dominate the game, whenever both of them were on the ball. They both were certainly posing threat to the Hornets but their substitution in succession weakened the Gunners.
They both were replaced by Joe Willock and Lucas Torreira, who took time to settle and do not have enough creativity in midfield as compared to Ceballos and Ozil.
Thus, Arsenal started losing the midfield battle and all the burden got on defence, who succumbed to the pressure made by Watford’s constant attack from the 60th minute of the game.
#4 Horrendous defending by Arsenal
One of the main reasons for this draw by Arsenal was the horrendous defending by David Luiz and Sokratis, especially in the second half of the game.
If one wonder, both the goals scored by Watford came because of errors made by Arsenal’s defence. The first goal came after Sokratis misplaced a pass in his own 18-yard-box and second was penalty given to the hosts due to Luiz’s foul.
This is second time in a row when a penalty was given against Arsenal because of Luiz’s fault, and Arsenal paid for it both the times.
Furthermore, Arsenal faced 31 shots attempted by Watford. Hence, surely the Gunners gave enough space to make such attempts and at times Arsenal were lucky too as many shots were taken from far and were misdirected. However, a horrible piece of defending by Emery’s side.
