please log in to view this image please log in to view this image WATFORD v ARSENAL VICARAGE ROAD STADIUM SATURDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2017 17:30 k.o. please log in to view this image Well the biggest day in the sporting calendar in this particular part of Leafy Buckinghamshire fast approaches: Nothing less than the Domestic Bragging Rights at stake as Watford take on Mrs Fez's Arsenal; as the left side of the "Training Ground Hedge" takes on the right side; as our Big F*****g Austrian takes on their Big F*****g German (subject to the injury list, of course); our most local of Premier League derby's and, yes, nearer than that horrible little mob the other way up the M1. Coming fresh off the International Break team news will follow in due course: there are a gazillion conflicting rumours about the fitness of players from both sides with both defensive line-ups open to question, speculation and pure guesswork. However it is clear that Mustafi will be missing from the Arsenal line-up and many of their back line are recovering from injuries: more on that as we hear. Head to Head: 27 Aug 2016 Watford v Arsenal L 1-3 Premier League 17 Oct 2015 Watford v Arsenal L 0-3 Premier League 26 Dec 2006 Watford v Arsenal L 1-2 Premier League 23 Apr 2000 Watford v Arsenal L 2-3 Premier League Recent Premier League encounters at The Vic haven't gone too well for the Hornet's with defeats varying from "...cheers ref!", to glorious failure, to totally outclassed. Oh for a return to the days when beating the Arsenal was a run of the mill victory! Not likely, although we know Watford are capable of beating them on our day as last season proved - the one highlight of a miserable 2017 under Walter Mazarri. Watford come into this match on the back of their best ever Premier League start with only the mauling at home to Manchester City totally blotting the copy-book. Playing over an hour at home with ten men to newly promoted Brighton was, in the end, a point gained. However Head coach Marco Silva is having more success away from home and the magnificent 90+5 equaliser at WBA before the break capped a remarkable comeback against a side notorious for being stingey in defence. Arsenal have also had a mauling at the hands of Liverpool and also lost to their perennial bogey team (according to Mrs Fez) Stoke City but have since picked up wins over Bournemouth (who are struggling) and WBA, a draw at Chelsea, along with confidence boosting wins in the Europa League. However there is still much unhappiness at Arsene Wenger's continuing tenure and his side have done little to reassure the fans that he is still the right man for the job. FEZ SEZ: A real chance to get one over on Arsenal. The test is not so much a skill set or physical battle for Watford, we know where we stand there, but the mental toughness to put one over on one of the best teams in world football, never mind English football. They are injured. They are vulnerable. That makes them doubly dangerous! Prediction? Not before I've seen the injury list! Prediction Update: a draw, I'll go with 2-2 TEAM NEWS & OFFICIALS 13.10.2017 So far as I have been able to tell there are no fresh injury concerns following the international break. Hopefully Sebatian Prödl will be fit at least as bench cover and Carillo will be recovered from his South American odyssey. Britos is available again and Silva is sure to rotate the strikers according to the Wobby. Arsenal defenders Laurent Koscielny and Sead Kolasinac both took part despite injury concerns. Koscielny has been sidelined for the past fortnight with an Achilles problem while Kolasinac returned from international duty with Bosnia nursing a hip problem Francis Coquelin (hamstring), Danny Welbeck (thigh) and Mesut Ozil (knee) are also set to return to the squad for the trip to Vicarage Road having come through training unscathed this week after injury lay-offs. Alexis Sanchez trained with the squad today having returned from South America late on Thursday following his international duty with Chile, who failed to secure qualification to the World Cup - mainly thanks to Colombian team mate Ospina getting a hand onto a direct shot from an indirect free-kick which saw Peru score and sneak into 5th spot and the play offs... love to be in on that conversation!! Referee: Neil Swarbrick Assistants: Scott Ledger, Adrian Holmes Fourth official: Graham Scott Mr Swarbrick middle our meeting at home to then reigning champions Leicester City where the hornets raced into a 2-0 lead to hold on for a 2-1 win. Prior to that at The Vic we have to go back to August 2014 and that fantastic 4-2 win against Huddersfield in the Championship, and the drab, ruined if I recall, 0-0 draw v QPR the season earlier. Away from home we saw him at our abject capitulation at Stoke last season and prior to that in our 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. Last season saw him referee the 1-0 home win and 3-1 away defeat in the Arsenal fixtures with WBA - as I recall, the Throstles throttled Arsenal at home. The only other time he has officiated them recently was a 2-1 win at West Ham in December 2014. Not likely to be on first name terms with their players, then.... Where ever you are watching from in the world: ENJOY THE GAME!!! YOOOOOOOOOOUUUU HOOOORRRNNNNNNSSSS!!!!
Arsenal have a lot of injuries, but a lot of class too. Tougher run of fixtures for this month. We'll really see what the team is made of. COYH!!
No sitting back and giving them too much respect at home this time. We’ve got the players to hurt their defence this time around so let’s give them something to think about rather than just trying to shut them out.
Best way to play Arsenal is to be positive and attack/be strong as they don't seem to like that. Like A1 horn says if you just let them play around you they will pick us off at ease.
If I see another preview saying ‘Watford haven’t won/struggling etc at home’ I’ll do this . 3 matches: Liverpool, last minute equaliser, good result, felt like a win. Brighton, 10 men. Man City, it was Man City. End of.
Just lazy basic work really - like you say we have had a tough run at home! And still have Spurs/Man U to come at the Vic soon!
Like A1 then Mark said, we can't let Arsenal have what Citeh had, loads of space and time on the ball. Yes, 80% was because Citeh were classy but Arsenal must be roughed up a bit tomorrow. I hope Silva has drummed this into his men. Also, very happy with the later kick off as out and about tonight, so a bit more of a lay-in Saturday.
Afternoon all. Well looking forward to it. Bit nervous though. Bite yer hand off for a point Enjoy one and all and may all those like me depending on a live stream have the very best reception. ps great intro fez. And Canary best of luck against Hull
Arsenal: Cech, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Bellerin, Elneny, Xhaka, Kolasinac, Iwobi, Welbeck, Lacazette
