Match Day Thread Watford vs. Arsenal 2016/17 Official Match Thread

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Venue: Vicarage Road
Saturday, August 27th 2016
KO Time: 15.00 BST

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Head to Head Against Watford:
Played: 21
Wins: 10
Draws: 1
Losses: 10
Goals For: 37
Goals Against: 34
Goal Difference: 3

Last 6 Meetings:
Arsenal 4-0 Watford
Arsenal 1-2 Watford (FA Cup)
Watford 0-3 Arsenal
Watford 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 3-0 Watford
Watford 2-4 Arsenal (FA Cup)​

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Arsène Wenger has revealed the latest team news ahead of the Watford game at Vicarage Road on Saturday:
on the latest team news…
Basically we have the same squad available as last week. I think it will be a similar squad.

on if Giroud could start against Watford…
Giroud is still a little fraction behind physically.

on Ramsey and Iwobi…
They are progressing well. Will it be immediately after the break [that they are back]? That’s what we’ll have to see in the next two weeks.

on Gabriel…
He’s progressing very well. He’s ahead of schedule. We said six to eight weeks and we think it could be six.

on Jenkinson…
Carl Jenkinson, we plan six weeks from today. He had to do his shoulders as well - sometimes when a guy has weaknesses and he has a big injury, you take advantage of the fact that he has a big injury to sort out the short ones. That’s what we did with him. He had the two shoulders done [too]. He went through a tough time, Carl. But he’s brave, conscientious, motivated and I think he will come back well.
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Arsenal starting XI: Cech, Bellerin, Holding, Koscielny, Monreal, Cazorla, Xhaka, Walcott, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis
Subs-
Ospina, Chambers, Gibbs, Coquelin, Elneny, Wilshere, Giroud

So Ozil starts with Coq dropped - attacking line up but still without giroud so very short attack. Very fast though, so hopefully Ozil can maje use of that.

 

Here's watfords team -
Gomes, Kabasele, Kaboul, Prodl, Amrabat, Behrami, Capoue, Guedioura, Holebas, Ighalo, Deeney
Subs -
Pantilimon, Janmaat, Zuniga, Watson, Success, Pereyra, Sinclair

 

We need to get our attack working otherwise we will struggle in these sorts of games

 

That midfield should be able to control the game and create chances, just need the front three to be clinical, got a feeling that Alexis will deliver today, a player of his quality does not go three games without doing something.

 

I'm looking forward to the trio of Santi, Xhaka and Ozil playing together. Watford are playing a 3-5-2 so ee really need theo and oxo to keep making runs and stretching the defence to give Sanchez a chance

 

Ronaldo7 is failing me unless I'm going blind. Anyone got a link?

 

Personally think there's a terrible clash of colours, hard to distinguish the two teams!

 

Pen to Arsenal 1-0 up thanks to Santi!

 

What are we playing like? I'm not able to watch the game but Arsenal.com says Sanchez is playing well and kos almost scored an own goal. Is that true?

 

Started well, but Watford growing into the game.

 

Xhaka has been very impressive so far.

 

Typical - we always seem to let off when we score an early goal

 

That's good to hear. I'm excited by his potential in the team

 

told ya. Sanchez scores.

 

Xhaka's passing range has been stunning.

 

This rather nice

 

3-0

 

3-0. Sanchez and Ozil swap roles, for the German to score.

 

Good, clinical first half. Xhaka dictating things. Interplay and movement between the front 3, especially supported by Ozil and Cazorla is a nightmare for Watford's defence. Watford had a little 5 minute renaissance in the middle of the first half but its been all us. Let's try and ramp up the GD some more in the 2nd half while seeing out the clean sheet.