Watford moved into fourth spot in the Premier League standings after they secured a 2-1 comeback win over Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal. The Gunners looked on course to clinch three points at Vicarage Road with a Per Mertesacker opener in the first half, but goals from Troy Deeney and Tom Cleverley at the end sealed the Hornets’ first win at home versus Arsenal in 30 years.
Here are our ratings for the game…
Petr Cech: The Czech international cannot be put at fault for either of the goals conceded, although he could have done some homework on Troy Deeney’s preferred penalty taking spot – 6.5/10
Hector Bellerin: Squandered a good chance to score with his weaker foot in the first-half, but other than that, he was in a never-ending battle with Richarlison, whom he awarded a penalty with a touch and go foul. – 6/10
Laurent Koscielny: Looked sufficient whilst he was on the pitch. The Frenchman was substituted late in the game with a recurrence of his Achilles problem – 6.5/10
Nacho Monreal: The Spaniard looked calm when in possession, but he could have nothing to prevent the Hornet’s winner in the dying minutes of the game – 6.5/10
Per Mertesacker: A hero to zero performance. The skipper on the night opened the scoring with a delightful header. The second half saw him more pressurised in Troy Deeney’s introduction and looked stressed on the field – 6.5/10
Sead Kolasinac: Probably one of his worst games in the Gunners shirt. The Bosnian footballer never played to the best of abilities at left wing-back and was caught in possession on several occasions – 6/10
Granit Xhaka: Tried his luck with a couple of long-range shots. Other than that, he could not establish his dominance in the second period where he could have done better man-marking Cleverley – 6.5/10
Mohamed Elneny: The Egyptian appeared still in World Cup celebration mood. Was largely a passenger chasing the ball in latter stages of the game with Watford piling on continuous pressure – 6/10
Alex Iwobi: The Nigerian did not have luck on his side as he had his effort saved in the second-half. Eventually, it proved key to the Gunners’ struggles on the road once more – 6.5/10
Danny Welbeck: Back from injury, the Englishman was not in the best of shape. Tried working on the right wing but nowhere his purple patch earlier in the campaign. Perhaps pulled a hamstring late on – 6/10
Alexandre Lacazette: The Frenchman’s quick feet helped him bring his teammates into play, although there was not the presence of an Alexis Sanchez or Aaron Ramsey to capitalise – 6.5/10
Substitutes:
Mesut Ozil: Nearly put Gunners 2-0 ahead but could not hit his effort past Heurelho Gomes – 6/10
Olivier Giroud: Had very less of the ball
Rob Holding: Came to oversee Watford’s winner
Image – Getty