Arsenal Looking For Bayern Form Against A One Toothed Opponent

Match Preview – Watford vs Arsenal – Premier League – 16.10.15

It feels like an age since we thumped Manchester United thanks to the international break but for once we have come out of the interlull with nothing more than a selection headache.

Arsenal players had a great international break with assists and goals galore continuing their fine league form that has seen them find their attacking spark after a rather flat start to the season. Ramsey scored as he helped Wales secure a place in their major tournament since 1958, Alexis bagged a brace against Peru to follow up his goal against Brazil 4 days earlier, Joel Campbell scored for Costa Rica, Giroud scored twice for France, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott both scored for England, Santi Cazorla netted twice for Spain, Iwobi scored for Nigeria and Chuba Akpom and Serge Gnabry both scored for their U21s teams. Mesut Özil also racked up an assist for Germany. That’s quite some list.

Despite Arsenal’s fine domestic form and the outstanding contribution to the international game their players have made over the weekend the odds against them scalping Bayern haven’t been cut much but if you use some Champions League betting tips that could work in your favour – never underestimate the Arsenal!

Before Arsenal get down to surprising the football world and giving Gooners false hope a few matches earlier than usual we have the small matter of Watford away. Arsenal’s attacking players might be brimming with confidence at the moment and Watford may be newly promoted but it would be hubristic to assume this will be a rout for the Gunners.

Watford have a wonderful defensive record in the league this season conceding just 7 goals and I am led to believe none of them have come from open play. To say they have been mean would be an understatement. This makes Chelsea look like Sunderland…. although they are doing a good job of that themselves this season.

However, if Arsenal apply themselves against Watford the way they did against Manchester United then it could be a real trampling but thinking that is a foregone conclusion has been our undoing in the past.

Arsène Wenger has a decision to make on Alexis who might be a little short having traveled to South America and back. Oxlade-Chamberlain could come in for the Chilean who may have to save his super human display for a late cameo. Walcott has been superb for Arsenal up front this season and not only looks like our first choice striker but is thriving there against the beliefs of many. His all-round game is developing rapidly but his hold-up play, as improved as it is, is nowhere near the level of Giroud’s and that might just see the Frenchman called back into the starting line-up against a solid defence who are likely to sit deep. That said, it could be another chance for Theo to develop his game but with key points at stake and Arsenal’s main goal threat tipped to start on the bench it might be an ask too much for Walcott.

Laurent Koscielny has a hamstring injury and will be assessed in the morning so Gabriel and Mertesacker seem nailed on to start.  Gabriel has spoken of his desire to become a world-class defender and few Arsenal fans will argue he isn’t already on his way. He has been a breath of fresh air in our defence and goes from strength to strength.

Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta are also in contention and I wouldn’t expect either to start but with Bayern on Tuesday Wenger may opt for resting a key midfielder.

Arsenal from; Cech, Ospina, Bellerin, Chambers, Debuchy, Gabriel, Koscielny, Gibbs, Mertesacker, Monreal, Cazorla, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Özil, Ramsey, Campbell, Giroud, Alexis, Walcott

Predicted Line-up

Cech, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Gabriel, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Özil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ramsey, Walcott

I expect to see substitute appearances from Alexis, Giroud and Arteta.

Match Quote

“Small details makes this squad a special one. We are looking forward to having some good celebrations after the game”  – Per Mertesacker

Last 3 Meetings

• Watford 1-2 Arsenal (26.12.2006)
• Arsenal 3-0 Watford (14.10.2006)
• Watford 2-4 Arsenal (05.01.2002)

Form Guide

Arsenal Last 5
WLWWL

Watford Last 5
DLWWL

Opposition watch

Quique Sánchez Flores will be happy with the start Watford have made on their return to the Premier League. The Hornets have lost just two matches so far and one of them was away to Manchester City. Watford’s defensive record is strong for a newly-promoted side – they’ve conceded just seven goals which is the best record in the league. If Watford stay up it will likely be their defence that keeps them in the league rather than their attack – which is surprising since they boast England’s top scorer in 2015.

This over-reliance on Odion Ighalo – the Nigeria international scored each of Watford’s last five goals – could prove costly come May. In Arsenal’s case it could simply be a case of putting Coquelin on Ighalo and patiently waiting for an opening. Nullifying Ighalo is a sound tactic at the moment considering Miguel Layun is the only other Watford player to have found the net this term.

Factfile

• Odion Ighalo has scored Watford’s last five Premier League goals. He has 21 goals in 26 league games in 2015.
• Petr Cech has the best save percentage in the PL this season (82%, minimum 5 saves).
• Watford have the lowest shot conversion rate (8.6%) and shooting accuracy (34.3%) figures in the Premier League this season.
• Theo Walcott has 12 goals and three assists in his last 14 Premier League starts.
• Alexis Sanchez has scored five goals in his last two Premier League games, more than he had managed in his previous 21.
• Watford have never won a Premier League game in October (D4 L5).
• Watford have only conceded three goals in their last six top-flight matches at Vicarage Road.
• Arsenal have won 8 of their last 10 away matches in the Premier League.
• Arsenal have won their last 5 matches against Watford in all competitions.
• Arsenal have scored at least 2 goals in their last 4 matches against Watford in all competitions.
• Arsenal have won all four Premier League meetings – most recently a 2-1 win at Watford on Boxing Day in 2006.
• The Hornets’ last win over Arsenal came at Highbury in April 1988.
• There has only been one draw in their 21 meetings.
• Watford are the Premier League’s lowest scorers at home with one goal in four matches.

Prediction

0-3 Alexis, Özil and Theo for Arsenal.

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