please log in to view this image V please log in to view this image The Emirates Stadium 13:30 k.o. please log in to view this image Tom Cleverly wheels away, as the wheels come off the Gunners night, hotly pursued by by his ecstatic team mates.... is that a smile on Cholobas' face? Is it him, even?? So, Watford are on the telly again. Messed up the weekend for Mr & Mrs Fez (for those of you who don't know, Mrs Fez is an avid Gooner and former STH) as we were looking forward to our annual day out to determine the household bragging rights, and quaff copious quantities of real ale and enjoy a slap up meal somewhere in town.... so thank you sky.... stupid time and on a school night... we're not happy! So I shall be meeting a few pals pre-match in town and Mrs Fez and I will doubtless text at every goal, every dodgy decision (ah heck, I'll spend the entire afternoon on the phone and miss the match altogether if Mr Atkinson's recent performances in charge of Watford is repeated) and then do my damnedest not to overdo the celebrations..... or otherwise. Watford have a decent enough record against Arsenal: Wally's Heroes last season; that goal to send us to Wembley the season before; the late, late, TC winner at the Vic this season. That's not to say we haven't been royally spanked by them either, home or away. 0-0 is an unlikely scoreline and Arsenal really have to go for the win and, unlike our last two opponents, they will seek to attack from the off without any of this bus parking nonsense. Head to Head (League fixtures) 31 Jan 2017 Arsenal v Watford W 1-2 Premier League 02 Apr 2016 Arsenal v Watford L 4-0 Premier League 14 Oct 2006 Arsenal v Watford L 3-0 Premier League 25 Sep 1999 Arsenal v Watford L 1-0 Premier League Last time we met: Watford 2-1Arsenal Goals: Per Mertesacker 39 (0-1) Troy Deeney penalty 71 (1-1) Tom Cleverley 90 (2-1) Current Form: 14 Jan 2018 AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal L 2-1 Premier League 20 Jan 2018 Arsenal v Crystal Palace W 4-1 Premier League 30 Jan 2018 Swansea City v Arsenal L 3-1 Premier League 03 Feb 2018 Arsenal v Everton W 5-1 Premier League 10 Feb 2018 Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal L 1-0 Premier League 01 Mar 2018 Arsenal v Manchester City L 0-3 Premier League 04 Mar 2018 Brighton and Hove Albion v Arsenal L 2-1 Premier League Opposition Briefing Consistent in their inconsistency, the form guide above highlights their fragility but their ineptitude against Citeh at Wembley and Östersunds FK in the Europa League has further marginalised Arsene Wenger and his team from their fans. Throw into the mix AC Milan, either side of our visit, there is the very real prospect of their losing seven matches on the spin. Realistically Europa League success will define their season and this ought to be their priority. They will not make 4th, especially as arch rivals Spurs are out of the Champions League and will be intent on getting the runner-up spot if they can: 14 points to make up over 9 games is going to require a turnaround of fortunes of biblical proportions. They are still Arsenal and have quality in abundance with Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan, Lacazette and Kolašinac in but with Giroud, Sanchez, Walcott, Coquelin and Debuchy on to pastures New, the revolving door is spinning. Petr Cech has been in indifferent form at best. Özil is, well, Özil I suppose. Lacazette is injured and even Aubameyang contrived to miss a penalty.... There are big problems at Arsenal and it is difficult to see how Wenger can survive the season if they go other of the Europa League and lose to Watford... indeed, would he survive the week? The "Watford Observer" Man in the Middle Martin Atkinson will take charge of Watford’s trip to Emirates Stadium on Sunday. It will be the second time this season the official has refereed a clash between Watford and a North London side, having overseen the Hornets 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at Vicarage Road in December. That game saw Watford take the lead through Christian Kabasele only for Son Heung-min to level and ensure the spoils were shared. Watford were left feeling aggrieved at the full-time whistle as Atkinson failed to award a late penalty despite Eric Dier appearing to clearly handle in the box. The game also saw Davinson Sanchez shown a straight red card for an elbow on Richarlison to account for one of four dismissals by Atkinson this season. Atkinson has brandished his yellow card 84 times in 25 games this term and Watford will be looking to end a four-game winless run with Atkinson in charge. The most recent outing under his stewardship came in their final game of 2017 with the visit of Swansea to Vicarage Road. The less said about that game, the better! Fez Sez: Normally this is a fixture that gives real cause for concern, a sort of Citeh Lite. But here we have a real opportunity to complete our first double of the season. Arsenal need to prioritise the AC Milan game tomorrow, it would be helpful to us if they are still in the tie. Win this and we're only six points behind with eight to play.... dare to dream, Hornets? Wherever you are in the world, ENJOOOOOYYY THE GAME! YOOOOUUUUU HOOOORRRNNNSSSS
Might as well go Fez, sounds like you'll be glued to it anyways at least by phone. Cheers for the thread. If Arsenal aren't motivated for this then Wenger is a bigger joke than I thought. Just stick up Deeney´s comments by the team sheet and hey presto estarán encabranados y motivados. Mind you, look how they have been doing recently and well, plus, might I add, AC Milan sandwiched between us being their only shot of glory we might as well take a shot at ours and hedge bragging right and nearer safety. I despise Arsenal recently and only a win would add fire to that fuel. They are a laughing stock of over talented plonkers, I really hope we can show them up, Gracia´s results give me hope but our performances don't. Time for all to stand up and be counted. COYH COYH COYH
God I really want us to do the double over them. I am too young to have been around in Watford's golden era, and it would be so great to see us doing over a big club home and away, something I never thought I would see. If we take an early lead, the atmosphere could get VERY toxic at the Emirates, which would help us.
Im hoping for a draw .My older family all come from north London so they are Red or White .My closest one has just lost his mum .His mum and dad and him was season ticket holders at Highbury And playing us on the 1st mothering sunday with out her will be hard for him as he comes to Watford games with me .
I didn't explain myself very well: I'll be meeting a mix of Hornets and Gooners pre and post match and we'll be travelling to the stadium together. Mrs Fez will probably follow it on the BBC website rather than watch it on Sky in a pub which means a lot of texting during the match - hence my comment. Normally this is a big day out in London for us. As free hits go it seems to me that this is as good an opportunity as it gets. The is the motivation factor as you say, but such is their run of form I am trying to contain my confidence. I think it will be down to how we play on the day, not what they do: a bit like our match at Stamford Bridge without the implosion!
If AC Milan play anything like their manager (Gattuso) used to then Arsenal will be walking wounded by tomorrow I would imagine that Wenger will avoid him as well !
OK I'd take a draw too!! You were clear Fez, I just read it like a numpty! Enjoy the game there, hope the away fans give it some atmosphere!!
From the BBC website: The Gunners arrived at the San Siro at arguably the lowest point of manager Arsene Wenger's 22-year reign, yet responded to a run of four straight defeats with a confident and controlled display against their Italian hosts. 2-0 to Arsenal. Let's hope that they will be worn out by Sunday.
Lets hope that Arsenal, rather than TD, show that they have excessive cojones and get a player or two sent off. I am not hopeful about this game
I was praying for the 1-2 score so they would rest 6 or 7 but not to be .After that result they will be flying plus with TD comments i can only hope some of them try to prove something and get sent off
Taken from the WO. Arsenal will be sweating on the fitness of a number of players ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash against Watford. Hector Bellerin (knee) missed the 2-0 Europa League win at AC Milan yesterday and is unlikely to recover in time while Nacho Monreal (back) is also expected to be absent. Alexandre Lacazette (knee) is missing while both Sead Kolasinac and Calum Chambers came off injured in Italy. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is available for selection having been ineligible in Europe.
I think this could be a fascinating game. So many factors in play. If chelsea beat Palace the gunners will be 9 points behind Chelsea before the kick off. They'll know even 5th place is not realistic. So c'mon you Blues. And if Sean does the Spam Burnley will be snapping at their heels But as Mex says "Gracia´s results give me hope but our performances don't. Time for all to stand up and be counted." C'mon u'orns
surely you want the Burnley result to be a draw or West Ham win? We have a better chance to catch Burnley than Arsenal - in fact we have to catch them and Leicester before we think about higher.
Chris what if West Ham catch us? So many possibilities. I was just sticking with the gaffer's strategy. The next 3 points. What's our best chance. Must admit I haven't really thought where we might finish if all goes really well. Must be my pessimism (and for that I blame too long listening to BB ) But in any case I couldn't wish Sean to lose if he was not playing us. He'll always be a little bit a 'orn to me
A decent preview in the Guardian. More substance than Merson and Lawro who say 2-0 and 3-0 but without giving any reasons: ‘Watford can smell blood at Arsenal When Watford beat Arsenal earlier this season, Troy Deeney was quick to identify why the Gunners lost. “It’s [having] a bit of cojones, is what I’ll say. Whenever I play against Arsenal, I’ll go up and think ‘let me whack the first one and see who wants it’.” Time and again since those words were uttered, strikers have bullied Arsenal’s defenders, so much so that Laurent Koscielny came out this week and admitted his confidence was on the floor. That will be music to Deeney’s ears. Arsenal will have had a boost from their victory over Milan but, with less than three days to recover from their trip to Italy, and an uncertain atmosphere at the Emirates, Watford will fancy their chances.’
All AW has to say to them that is "this team is saying you have no balls are you little boys ? Go and show them what its like to play a top team " my hope is one of them get sent off and it could be our blood we are smelling in more ways one .Its only the last 5 games that we have started to look up and not down .I hoped we would get 6 maybe 7 points from those games but to get 10 is great COYH
