Arsenal travelled to Vicarage road on the back of a North London Derby draw at home. The headline since the start of the PL season has always been about Arsenal’s front trio and how well they’d work together. However, Arsenal were dealt a big blow as Alexander Lacazette wasn’t available for selection due to an ankle injury he sustained during the Emirates cup.
Arsenal lined up in a 4-4-2 diamond formation, with Mesut Ozil playing at the top of the diamond in his first appearance of the season. Dani Ceballos and Matteo Guendozi completed the midfield quartet alongside captain, Granit Xhaka.
Arsenal took the lead through Aubemyang as he turned and shoot from a Sead Kolasinac pass. From the point of the first goal, Arsenal looked comfortable in the game with a good spell of possession. This good spell soon resulted in the second goal after a sublime pass from Mesut Ozil to play in Maitland-Niles who set up Aubameyang for a simple tap-in. The goal completed a 20 pass move, which is the highest from any PL team this season.
Arsenal went into the break with a two-goal lead and looked comfortable in the game. However, in the second half, the team didn’t look like the one that played the first half. Watford soon found a way back into the game after Sokratis gave away possession in the Arsenal box for Tom Cleverly to hit home.
The Hornets soon levelled the scores as Luiz brought down Pereyra with a lunge in the final 10 minutes and the substitute stepped up himself to take the penalty and salvage a point for the hosts.
Arsenal’s defensive issues once again was in full display. The team allowed Watford 31 shots on goal, which will raise a big question on the manager’s defensive set up .
Arsenal will look to bounce back against Aston Villa at home next weekend.
