Arsenal Vs Watford: 5 things we learned – Thank God it’s over

Arsenal hung on to beat Watford and move into eighth in the Premier League. It was far from a convincing performance from the Gunners, who conceded plenty of excellent chances to the Hornets, who were relegated as a result of their defeat.</p> <p>Aubameyang opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Alexandre Lacazette was felled. He then teed up Kieran Tierney in a brilliant move from back to front before scoring an overhead kick from a long throw-in. Troy Deeney and Danny Welbeck scored for Watford, but Arsenal did just enough to hang on.</p> <p>Here are five things we learned from<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53460584"> the wild 3-2 victory</a>.</p> <div id="attachment_104033" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-104033" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F07%2F1259082828-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Rob Holding" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Arsenal, Rob Holding (Photo by Neil Hall/Pool via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>5. Rob Holding struggles</h4> <p>David Luiz will be lambasted for conceding another penalty, his fifth of the season. It is a record for a single player and more than 10 entire teams. However, while Luiz’s late challenge on Danny Welbeck was ill-advised, his mistake was not the critical one in the move.</p> <p>That was <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=rob+holding%22>Rob Holding</a>, who first rallied on the ball when receiving it from Emiliano Martinez before playing a poor pass into Dani Ceballos which was easily intercepted. From that moment on, Arsenal were always scrambling to recover and it led to Luiz’s desperate lunge.</p> <p>This mistake was emblematic of Holding’s overall performance. He rarely looked comfortable and assured when defending, his passing was erratic and inaccurate, while he struggled when thrust into wide areas at moments when Arsenal played in a back three.</p> <p>Holding is fighting for his place and future. With William Saliba set to arrive, and Pablo Mari and Calum Chambers still return from injury, performances like this one will do little to aid his cause.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4. Emiliano Martinez is for real </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_104035" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-104035" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F07%2F1259002991-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 26: Emiliano Martinez of Arsenal warms up prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Watford FC at Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Rui Vieira/Pool via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>4. Emiliano Martinez is for real</h4> <p>When Bernd Leno landed awkwardly on his leg in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=emiliano+martinez%22>Emiliano Martinez</a> was handed his first opportunity to get an extended run of starts as Arsenal’s number one. He had performed encouragingly in spot starts beforehand, but this was a very different challenge. Martinez, though, stepped up to the plate brilliantly.</p> <p>This was another excellent performance from the Argentinian. He denied Danny Welbeck from a flying low saves, came out to block a one-on-one, spreading his body wide to close down the angle, and commanded his area superbly, especially from set-pieces. His distribution was excellent, too, playing several balls into midfield to release Arsenal from the Watford press.</p> <p>What happens when Leno returns in the summer remains to be seen. The German had hardly done much wrong to lose his place. Equally, Martinez does not exactly deserve to be dropped either? Arsenal have two number one goalkeepers to choose between. It is a testament to Martinez’s performances that it is even a debate.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3. Mikel Arteta shows off tactical flexibility </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_104022" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-104022" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F07%2F1259038508-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 26: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Watford FC at Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Neil Hall/Pool via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>3. Mikel Arteta shows off tactical flexibility</h4> <p>This week, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=mikel+arteta%22>Mikel Arteta</a> expressed his desire to have tactical flexibility.<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/11096/12034597/mikel-arteta-exclusive-arsenal-ready-to-strengthen-squad-and-solve-creativity-problem"> Speaking with <em>Sky Sports</em>, he said</a>:</p> <div class="recent-posts "> <h4>More from <b>Pain in the Arsenal</b></h4> <ul> <li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/arsenal-interest-miguel-gutierrez-girona/"> Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal interest in Girona star </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/when-will-martin-odegaard-return-from-his-injury/"> When will Martin Odegaard return from his injury? </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/2-midfielders-arsenal-could-sign-in-january-transfer-window/"> 2 midfielders Arsenal could sign in January transfer window </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/thomas-partey-unlikely-to-play-for-arsenal-again-in-2023/"> Thomas Partey unlikely to play for Arsenal again in 2023 </a> </li><li> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/11/10/predicted-arsenal-lineup-vs-burnley-saka-fit-to-start/"> Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Burnley: Saka fit to start? </a> </li></ul> </div> <blockquote class="left ampstart-">“We want to have versatility. We will be more difficult to control if we are able to master two or three different formations without driving the players crazy. Always with the same principles, but being able to change system, and to attack and defend in different ways.”</blockquote> <p>Here, he showed precisely what he meant.</p> <p>Officially lined up as a 4-3-3, Arsenal switched between three different formations depending on the state of the game at specific moments. Triggered by Granit Xhaka’s position, Arsenal would move from a 3-4-3 with Xhaka as a left-sided centre-half to a 4-2-3-1 with Xhaka moving into midfield alongside Dani Ceballos to a 4-3-3 with Joe Willock dropping deeper and Xhaka moving up even further such that the pair flank Ceballos.</p> <p>This tactical flexibility did not always work, of course. At times, Watford played through Arsenal with ease. But Arteta would change the system, stem the tide, and wrestle back control of the match through altering the numerical equation. He wants to have tactical flexibility, the versatility to change systems, and here, he proved it.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. Defending, defending, defending </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_104037" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-104037" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F07%2F1227787613-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Watford’s English striker Danny Welbeck (C) scores their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Watford at the Emirates Stadium in London on July 26, 2020. (Photo by NEIL HALL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>2. Defending, defending, defending</h4> <p>Arsenal may have scored three goals and looked comfortable on the scoresheet, but in reality, not at one stage did they seem in control of the match. It was open, disconnected, oftentimes extremely threatening and dangerous, and it largely stemmed from the Gunners’ inability to contain Watford’s attack play.</p> <p>David Luiz and Rob Holding struggled greatly. They did not track runners, pressed the ball poorly, and never looked especially attentive when combinations were played in and around the penalty area. Ismaila Sarr was threatening throughout, using his pace down the right side, while the midfield offered limited protection.</p> <p>Emiliano Martinez was forced to make several excellent saves, especially in the second half, while Arsenal were never able to slow down the game and take control of proceedings. They were grasping for dominance, which was always ever so slightly out of their reach. Against more clinical attacking teams, they will be punished.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. Thank God it's over </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_104038" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-104038" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2020%2F07%2F1259076864-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 26: Dani Ceballos of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Watford FC at Emirates Stadium on July 26, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h4>1. Thank God it’s over</h4> <p>It has been far from the ideal Premier League campaign for Arsenal. At the start of the season, they had hopes of a top-four finish. An encouraging summer transfer window left the club with plenty of hope for the campaign that was to come. Fast forward an eventful year and it is the Gunners’ worst finish in 25 years.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia"> <div id="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-position="slideshow_inline" data-slot="inline_104013" style="width:300px;margin: 0 auto;"> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.defineSlot("/175840252/fansided.com/PainintheArsenal/mpu",[300, 250], "minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet") .addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display("minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet"); }); </script> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>The season started with Unai Emery as head coach. He proved himself incapable of building a cohesive team. Then Raul Sanllehi took too long to sack the Spaniard. Mikel Arteta eventually arrived and brought hope to a team that started to improve, but ultimately, the lack of talent was the critical issue.</p> <p>By the end of the day, Arsenal jumped to eighth place, moving ahead of Sheffield United. Their tally of 56 points is 43 worse than leaders Liverpool, three points below rivals Spurs and the European places, and perhaps most pertinently, is ten points fewer than Manchester United and Chelsea who round out the top four.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Arsenal Vs Watford: 5 things we learned" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-vs-watford-5-things-learned-thank-god/3/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/07/26/arsenal-watford-player-ratings/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Arsenal Vs Watford: 5 things we learned </a> </div> </div> <p>This has been a disastrous Premier League campaign for Arsenal. Thank God it’s over.</p><!—pageview_candidate—></p>">