Three Things We Learned from Arsenal v Watford
Ah, that’s more like it. It’s been so long since we on in the Premier League I forgot what it felt like. Overall, it was a convincing performance that could’ve had more goals than it ended up with. There’s still a lot of work to do but confidence is built slowly over time and with the win in the Europa League and yesterday’s win versus Watford, we can only hope that we are finally moving in a positive trajectory.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the 3 things we learned from Arsenal v Watford.
Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan picking up where the left off
At Dotrmund they were lethal. Their first year together they combined for a total of 29 goals and 14 assists leading BVB to 2nd in the Bundesliga. In 14/15 Mkhi would suffer an injury that saw him only the pitch with limited action. IN 15/16 Mkhi’s last at Dortmund, him an Auba combined for 90 goal goals and a boat load of assists.
When the January window closed and both former Dortmund players were wearing the red and white of Arsenal, we hoped that the dynamic duo would return to form and help Arsenal with a final push for the season.
The start didn’t go as well as planned and with the erratic way the season went – with EL ties, Fa Cup Ties and the League Cup final – not a lot could be done to build any momentum for the two. Yesterday though seemed to just click for them.
Aubameyang was a menace all day long to the Watford backline and there were repeated moments that either Mkhi or Özil found the Gabon striker making runs into the channels and getting on the ball.
It was in the 2nd half that the former BVB partners got in sync when Mkhi laid out a lovely ball that Auba got onto coming across the goal, laying out the keeper and scoring what was essentially a tap in to an empty net (despite the best efforts of Iwobi to get in the way.)
The favor was returned a little later in the second half when Auba executes a simple, yet effective change of direction on the ball to set up Mkhi for his own goal. Whether its Mkhi to Auba or Auba to Mkhi they both seemed to be finding the rhythm they both had at the German club.
With little left to play for, we can only hope that two can continue to grow so that when next season kicks off they are both able to help Arsenal get back to being Arsenal.
Mesut Özil is the leader of this team
He is quiet and unassuming. IN all of his previous clubs he was never the man. Even before this season started he wasn’t the man. Now, with Alexis Sanchez still trying to tickle the piano keys at
Manchester United, it has fallen on the German’s shoulders to be the catalyst at this club.
In the last two games, Özil has been given time and space to operate. He hasn’t been double or even triple-teamed off the ball. He has been able to float between the midfield and back line of the opponents, turn and make incredible passes or chips to set up his teammates.
But what I am starting to see besides normal, peak Özil is a player also stepping up to try and be a leader. Its not part of his natural player DNA. He likes to be cog through which things run but usually lets leadership responsibilities fall to the more boisterous, out there players.
But in a moment maybe not too many caught, Iwobi had just completed an early cross into the box for either Özil or Auba to latch onto. It wasn’t a bad move and should’ve likely been applauded. But instantly after the failed chance went amiss, Özil turned to Elneny and chastised him for not hitting a through ball into Özil’s path earlier.
Leaders hold other accountable and that was exactly what Özil was doing. It was a moment. It was a moment that many have cried out for him to do previously and we hope there are many more like it.
This team will benefit from having Mkhi and Auba in it, but Özil is the engine, this team needs him or it will continue to stutter. Make no mistake about it – he is the man at Arsenal.
It was a win but let’s not get carried away
I love it when Arsenal wins. I especially love it when Arsenal wins and it shoves it in the face of past criticisms but it is one win.
One of the things I noted about yesterday is that the work rate was a lot better than we had seen for quite some time. There were players making smart runs off the ball. Players stepping up to pressure attackers or win the ball snuffing out an attack.
But I was left with the thought that had similar efforts been displayed against the likes of Brighton last week, Tottenham and even Swansea they’d not be in such a bad predicament as we are now. (Yes, I avoided Man City.)
The fact is, while its mathematically not impossible, qualifying for the Champion’s League from league play is unlikely. We’ve fallen too far adrift and there aren’t enough games left for us to make an effective end of season run. As it would also depend on at least two other teams collapsing, I would say that avenue is closed.
The problems at Arsenal didn’t just happen this season and to forget that – even if we should somehow pull off the impossible and win the Europa League would be wrong.
I am happy to see us win two matches again, but it should’ve never gotten to this point.
There’s still a lot to be done but at least we’re moving in the right direction again.
Extra Time
Petr Cech saved a penalty. I’ll just leave that here.
MOTD HIGHLIGHTS
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