Sorry this is late, but family obligations kept me away from a TV and net access until just now. I did however get to hear the last 18 minutes of the match via Sirius Satellite Radio. Just in time to hear how we were controlling the match, but getting nothing for our efforts.
But then, Robin van Persie saved the day for the second match in a row. His curling effort in the 82nd minute won it for the Gunners, moving Arsenal to third in the table on 36 points.
Next up is a trip to Sheffield to take on a Sheffield United who fell 3-0 to the Arsenal at the Grove back in September. Let’s hope for a repeat performance this Saturday. Kickoff is at 12:15 PM ET, and will be televised live on Fox Soccer Channel.
10 Responses to “Watford 1 - 2 Arsenal”
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December 26th, 2006 at 10:38 pm
Well done Robin. Our two up front look dynamite lately. It is important to take the full 3 in these sort of matches so that we may cushion ourselves from the chasing pack once the CL resumes over the winter. Nice work cashley Cole. More of the same on Saturday at bramall lane and v. Pardew and charlton. Up it gunners!
December 27th, 2006 at 1:35 am
I said before that clean sheet = win. We didn’t keep a clean sheet and for most part there was no win either. I couldn’t see the last 10 min. It was heartening to know that we can score in the end game and convert draws to wins. But that does not cover up other big problem areas.
I said that 4-4-2 with Rosicky, Hleb and Cesc will not always work. Once in a while, it will click and we’ll win 6-2 or 4-0. That can be very misleading. Most of the times, the midfield will be stifled, Rosicky and Hleb will get pulled centrally and the fullbacks will be exposed. Eboue, Clichy and Hoyte are too raw and inexperienced to handle that. Add to that, our CB’s woes and we are bound to concede every now and then. It’s difficult to point a finger at any single defender. I believe the team is not defending as a unit.
I have been crying out loud for a proper left winger, but Wenger is not listening. He will cover a circular man hole with a square peg and play the 4-5-1. This will bring about other problems. If he doesn’t sign anyone, the only solution I see is to play Henry on the left. That will atleast leave the RvP + Ade combo intact.
This game actually reminded me of Crystal Palace two years ago. In that game too, we took the lead only to be pegged back. But this time, we went on to win. If you are looking for a performance improvement, this wasn’t it. But we got the three points and that is very important. Improving your game and garnering the points go hand in hand. Sometimes we can do both, sometimes only one. But if we can’t manage either, it will be of grave concern.
December 27th, 2006 at 2:22 am
The comparisons of RvP with Bergkamp make me laugh. Bergkamp had an exquisite first touch and was an expert of the weighted ball. RvP has no idea what a soft touch means. He just shoots hard. Not that it’s bad but can’t compare it with the Iceman.
December 27th, 2006 at 2:26 am
Am I the only one noticing Walcott’s assists? Not yet 18 and already 6 assists in fleeting appearances. Imagine if we had a proper winger, especially on the left.
December 27th, 2006 at 2:45 am
I was thinking the same thing myself after it dawned on me that it was walcott with the assist, again. The lad seems to make a habit of doing that now despite coming on as a sub and having few chances.
December 27th, 2006 at 4:26 am
Can you believe that Wenger signed Rivaldo for only two million GBP?
I don’t care what anyone says about RvP being selfish. He’s not as selfish as many might believe. Bottom line is sometimes you need a guy that can win a game for you. van Persie has proven to be that guy in some tough games this year. Even the Blackburn match, his first goal wasn’t the “game winner” but it was the decisive goal that ended Blackburn’s fight back.
RvP always gave Wenger a funny look when he got subbed off with the game still on the line. Now, it’s unlikely Wenger will be looking to take him off late. Robin van Persie has three goals in the last two games; all in the final ten minutes of the match. It’s important to have players that can keep the ball but to win you need that guile mixed with sheer class and audacity. When the game’s on the line, who do you want taking that final shot? More importantly, we have in RvP a guy that wants to take that final shot with the game on the line. Rivaldo possessed that boldness and so does RvP. You’ve got to respect that.
December 27th, 2006 at 4:35 am
No, you are not the only one noticing. I thought Wenger should have brought Walcott on after fifty minutes as Hleb did not seem at all interested in playing. That was the worst I’d ever seen him play, including his time at Stuttgart. When Hleb went and changed his shoes I was thinking, bring on Theo because it’s not going to happen for Hleb today.
Also Watford was prime opposition for Walcott to shine. He has been helping the team get goals. I only wish Jose Reyes wasn’t so miserable in London or we’d have assists coming from the left as well.
December 27th, 2006 at 5:31 am
Martin Tyler, the Sky commentator, mentioned that Walcott played for Soton when they lost 0-3 at Watford on boxing day last year and this could be his chance for personal revenge.
December 27th, 2006 at 7:16 am
A decent comparison point is the fact the ManU also won 2-1 at Watford. In that game too, ManU took the lead and Watford equalized before ManU score the winner in the 2nd half. The only difference being the timing - 52nd vs 84th min.
Watford’s only other loss at home was a 0-1. It doesn’t excuse our performance but it puts into perspective the value of the 3 points gained.
December 28th, 2006 at 11:11 am
How many times have we heard players mouthing off after a win this season? “We’re back”, “We can win ugly”, “We can still win the league”. It’s all rubbish. The teams needs consistency and that’s all it should be aiming for. Stop dreaming about 1st or 2nd - because that’s all it is - a dream. How can you have such ambitions when you can barely win more than 2 back to back games in a season.
For me, the performances are a lot more important than the results right now. And I smell a defeat coming up at Sheff Utd.