Arsenal v Watford Tuesday 31st January 2017 19.45 Emirates Stadium Arsenal are one of 6 clubs ever present in the Premiership - this was 7 until last year when Villa were relegated. (Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and Everton being the others).They are second only to Manchester United in points scored in the Premiership and in ranking by "position".(you get one point for being bottom up to 20 for being top each year) 1 Man U 1955 points and 462 "position" points 2 Arsenal 1747 and 425 3 Chelsea 1696 and 392 4 Liverpool 1598 and 396 5 Spurs 1361 and 312 9 Man City 1093 and 228 - due to their years outside the Premiership 39 Watford 97 and 10 - 45 and 8 gained last year. Could move up to about 35th this year. Recent results show Arsenal very much in form (4th over 8 games) while Watford have only won once in the last eight league outings and are 16th with only Middlesbrough and the bottom 3 below us. Even worse over the last 6 games only Palace are below us. Since the millenium our results against Arsenal could have been better and yet we used to be Arsenal's bogey side: there is only one thing for it - we must return to the bogey days. Enjoy the match everyone.
Sorry for posting this before the game today but there is not much time for me to do it otherwise as the game is Tuesday.
Thanks Leo, I´ve got the next one. After today´s "performance" I don´t hold much hope away to the Gunners...
Maybe all is not lost - http://www.cleansheetsallround.co.u...-injury-blow-7-key-players-miss-watford-clash
Tx Leonardo getting us up and running. This is an odd one really under the circumstances. No pressure as a loss would not be a surprise. Could be a strange team with many returning from injury. Could be just what WM needs. And if we scrap a draw we could be 9 points clear of rele. But who will play? I can see Mari getting a shout. Maybe Mason. Gomez, Deano and Cleverley of course. But who else? Any chance Amarabat will be fit and would we risk him with Burnley looking the better points bet? Never easy being a 'orn eh but wouldn't swap it for the world
Haven't a clue really. The two most hungry with Deano and TC behind them (Deano in a free role and TC play maker). But I'd make it clear that if you don't look hungry and run your socks off you will not see the second half and not be in the weekend squad. Time to get 'duro'. But only those working with the players know who want it most.
Watford Observer @Observer_Owl 1m1 minute ago The Hornets are likely to give AC Milan signing @MBaye9Niang his debut at @Arsenal tomorrow #watfordfc https://t.co/F7UfEivRYY If this is the case, I would like us to play; ----------------------Gomes-------------- Janmaat--Kabasele--Prodl--Mason ---------Capoue------Behrami--------- --Amrabat------Cleverley------Niang -------------------Deeney----------------- I'd play a 4-2-3-1, with Celeverly as the AM/No.10 role. I know Niang was waiting for international clearance but has that now. This is also under the assumption Amarabat is back from injury. If not, I think I would play Sinclair in that role - although imagine it would be Okaka....
TEAM NEWS Arsenal forward Theo Walcott could make his first league appearance for six weeks after scoring a hat-trick on his comeback from a calf problem in the FA Cup win at Southampton. Danny Welbeck is unlikely to be risked from the start, while Granit Xhaka is still suspended. Watford could give debuts to Mauro Zarate and M'Baye Niang, while Valon Behrami may be fit after a back injury. Costel Pantilimon has an ankle injury and Jose Holebas is serving a ban. Jonathan Pearce: "Watford's new signings M'Baye Niang and Mauro Zarate can sparkle on their day but are they the right sort of player to untangle the Hornets from a relegation web? "They're in peril. Seven games without a league win. No midweek Premier victory since April 2007. Too many team changes.
Isn't Zarate still under suspension? I thought he was banned for three games - one in Italy, the cup game and tomorrow night...
Sinclair has gone, Amrabat (& Behrami?) still out injured. I'm not sure that Janmaat would be the best choice for full back against Arsenal - have him in Amrabat's position? Also can't see Kabasele getting the nod ahead of Cathcart, but could possibly play both?
Whatever the pundits etc say about another (probable) defeat here (no wins in 8 etc) we've just got to ignore it and move on. Arsenal away is always going to be one of those 'free hit' games for us. The biggie (possibly biggest game of the season so far?) is Burnley on Saturday. We know that, but the pundits don't seem to.
Agreed. A free hit. But that said we don't need a demoralising thrashing. And if we are well organised we should avoid that. So all the pressure on WM I feel. Don't know why but I'm getting quite excited about tomorrow night. Every minute of the match that passes will be a small victory. Wine in fridge cooling. Bring it on.
Red needs time to breathe and it is only just warm enough for chilled white. 16°C forecast for tomorrow.
