Away To Watford – What Could Go Wrong?
Apr 14th, 2019 by 'holic
Away to Watford. Sokratis Papastathopoulos suspended, and Laurent Koscielny may not have two games in him this week, so how does Unai solve that little conundrum? Shall I get to the whacky idea first. Mohamed Elneny! When playing more often and in form he loved dropping into the back four to make a five. Oh come on, don’t call me that!
It would be so very risky to revert to a four and ask Shkodran Mustafi and Nacho Monreal to deal with Deeney and Gray man to man, and similarly they might prove a handful for any of our younger defenders yet to play in the Premier League. My fear is that Unai Emery may even consider Stephane Lichsteiner on the right of a three. Have I scared you as much as I have myself?
We will need to be more positive and look to outscore the hosts if we are to return to the top four at the expense of Chelsea. Granit Xhaka remains a doubt so expect Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi to start in between Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sead Kolasinac. I know, Aaron Ramsey is in outstanding form and that is why, with his record of pulls and tears, we should hold him back for Thursday unless we are in desperate need here.
The front three is where the boss may also rotate, hoping we can get a result at Vicarage Road and keeping a couple of key players fresh for Thursday. Alexandre Lacazette probably has to start so we have an option to hold the ball up front and bring others into play. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hasn’t started many away games at all, hence leading to the somewhat self-reinforcing argument that he doesn’t score too many away from home. Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be preferred to him and Mesut Ozil?
The ‘holic pound
I am always so positive about our prospects, but the manner of the performance at Goodison was perhaps the final straw to which I am now nervously clutching. Before that match I was convinced we would finish third. After it I now just hope again that we can make fourth. A defeat at Watford wouldn’t be the final nail in the coffin but it would take qualification out of our hands again.
Be positive, I tell myself. A draw would keep it in our hands. The Hornets may have one eye on the upcoming FA Cup Final and not fancy the fifty-fifties? I don’t punt on draws (often), so I am thinking Watford probably have a couple of goals in them and therefore we need three. That scoreline is available for what appears a skimpy 20/1, but it is worth a pound, no?
I feel better already.
The ABW Preview
A new feature I hope to include in future preview posts is the recently introduced A Bergkamp Wonderland Preview podcast. If Danny and his chosen guest/s can post before I publish I will incorporate it here so you have a different viewpoint to consider. Let me know what you think.
84 Responses to “Away To Watford – What Could Go Wrong?”
Arsenal News 24/7
First?
Chin up, guv’nor. This season’s tired old refrain is that we trust the manager to pick the right team and we trust the team to turn up.
I know…
COYG
Big game ahead, makes our season, thanks very much Dave
Guvnor,
I sense less confidence in your prediction than I think you have ever known and I’m afraid I’m too involved in the team emotionally to follow the suggested Pangloss route. I thought the purpose of a blog was to have opinions however outrageous.
The season is exquisitely balanced . We might finish third and/ or win the Premier League OR we might finish sixth and blow a two goal lead in Naples or any combination within those possibilities. So equally balanced are our prospects in the league and in Europe that it is hard to know which route to favour. If forced to choose I’d love to win the Europa League rather than finish fourth and it is possible . If we’d played better at Everton and didn’t have a massive game on Thursday and had the old shithouser available at centre back and weren’t playing a highly physical team who will make it hellish for us I would be confident. I think we will lose narrowly and agonisingly but I think we will prevail on Thursday . If we do win tomorrow I would be very happy and surprised
Evening H
I think with Papa suspended,and us needing a result to travel to Naples with confidence and an away win under our belt, Unai may have no option but to play Kos alongside Mustafi at the Vicarage.
The defensive balance will be crucial tomorrow against a very aggressive attacker in Deeney.
I don’t want Elneny or Guendozi anywhere near the midfield tomorrow, Granit should play alongside Lucas,given he was almost ready last Thursday.
If the rest of the players get their act together and play with purpose and intensity we should be too good for Watford.
With Chelsea losing today and still having to go to Man Utd,and Utd still having to face City, Unai will see this game as a great chance to reassert our hold on a top 4 spot.
Given we have a game in hand over Chelsea after Watford,and also a better goal difference,this could be the pivotal game in the top 4 race.
Evening, and thanks all.
Sorry if overly negative. TTG I hear you. Clive, I don’t want Elneny in midfield, but think he may be a back three option preferable to Lichsteiner. We have some poor options tomorrow. ?
Keep the faith.
A pound ain’t worth what it used to be I suppose
When the mighty ‘holic pound would be on 0-3 to the Arsenal, at the very least
Possibly the greatest football clip (non Arsenal) of all time
https://i.imgur.com/r87KguS.gif
Difficult selection decisions abound but I think Emery will not repeat his mistakes at Everton. Reminds me, nobody has mentioned Mesut Ozil’s name in glowing terms on the blog today. Watford is a game for Iwobi to earn his keep by hounding the hosts, and for our surviving defenders to give the fight of their lives. A season defining week, and two terrific tests to trample the thesis of our away timidity.
Tiger Woods’ win at the Masters was a remarkable story of persistence, courage and redemption in the face of great adversity. I only saw his last two holes but I have a feeling they were the best ones to watch, and certainly from an emotional standpoint.
Cynic, Who is the one eating his victuals?
Shay Given
Just seen Salah’s goal against Chelsea.
I wouldn’t mind one of those tomorrow,or even on Thursday come to that.
H,
re Elneny,i mentioned him more in reference to him playing last week in midfield at Everton,not in respect of your thoughts about his possible inclusion in the backline.
As Unai has regularly done,he could well yet again confound us all with his lineup tomorrow.
holic you did admirably, scrambled mind or otherwise. I will not expect a back line including Lichtsteiner and Elneny though. The Guardian preview predicts a back three of Mustafi, Kos and Nacho and I hope Kos is up for it because we really don’t have good alternatives. Although I thought Mavropanos would be healthy and appearing in the team by now, at least occasionally such as tomorrow.
This is one of the poorest analysis I have read on the internet this season. With Elneny, Mustafi, ‘dozi and Nacho starting against a strong Watford side we will get schooled badly. I feel Emery will rest players but not as bad as the line up you have suggested; this is worst than what we saw against Everton.
My preference is to play the strongest team. We should not be thinking about Europa league when top 4 is still in our hands: Chelsea and United also have very difficult games so why do we want to throw away our chances???
Start Ramsey, Kols, xhaka, Auba and lacazette and see where it takes us – surely the next game should always be the most important and not plan for Thursday already when watford is next. I agree that Emery may throw in the towel against Watford because he wants to win the Europa but this is very risky.
Many thanks as always for the
preview. May your pound come in.
I think we have to take the risk
with Kos given the sorry state of
our defence. Guen or Xhaka to
partner Torreira and the front 3
as you say. Grind it out and take
the points. Watford are a good but
certainly not a great side, with a
bright start I believe we can get
a lead and see out a 2-0 win.
bt8,
I’ll look forward to the report on the
Mighty Bac and the er…. Mighty
Remi 🙂
Nice preview H. Not sure what Joe is on.
If we play both Elneny and Mustafi at the back then the other 8 outfield players have to all be attack minded as we’re going to concede loads.
My guess is that if fit, he will go with Kos. Sokratis is back on Thursday and we genuinely can’t afford to drop points this evening.
Let’s hope they are still in cup final mode and are not interested in tonight.
Thoughtful running through of limited options, ‘Holic. If it is to be 3-2, it will likely be a nervous-making evening. We have, though, scored at least three in four of our last six visits there.
An appropriately cautious preview, Guvna. I have mulled over the options given the next game on Thursday and the frailty of not only some individuals but also that of our group’s away psyche.
Three points from this game would be massive for the rest of our away fixtures ergo our final PL placing and helpful for our attitude on Thursday. I’m with Joe. Go for it. Field your best team. Then field your best available team on Thursday.
Give it all you’ve got, Gunners. No regrets.
I don’t think it matters too much what team Emery puts out against Watford, it will definitely be superior to theirs on paper. We need to transfer that ability gap to the pitch.
What he needs to do beforehand is to put some real passion into them by showing them a recording of that knuckle dragging troglodyte Deeney smirking at the Arse’s lack of cojones.
Great preview Guvnor,
I’m in the let’s go with the best team we can assemble for he next game camp, thinking ahead about EL will not do us any good. We also have a slight advantage to take with us to Naples.
Tonight should be about beating Watford and nothing else!
One game at a time please Unai, I also thought Mavropanos did exceptionally well when called upon last time and from the Everton debacle I do not want to see Elneny either at the back or the midfield, he means well but because he’s not a regular and hardly plays he’s more prone to errors, which in a way is not his fault. Saying that we haven’t had the luxury of playing squad players in every fixture this season as we all know why that is.
Dorset Mick,
Spot on! You can’t argue with that…..
Maybe we can sign Gilberto Silva and Sol Campbell for this game.
BBC article about Turkish football and its intertwining with politics is worth a read, including how Galatasaray and Fenerbache have apparently managed to avoid political controversy in comparison with the other two Istanbul clubs, Besiktas and Basaksehir, the club that is closely tied to the Erdogan government. For ex-Arsenal diaspora interest look no further than the picture of Emmanuel Adebayor who plays for Basaksehir.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47830726
Repackaging would be in order in more ways than one, as Boxing Day was the last time Watford lost at home.
dorset M ?
in news of little import big man
found 2 crates of treacle stout
year old upstairs
haven’t cracked yet but
if past experience is anything
i wouldn’t have a bastardin clue
what they’ll fuckin taste like
cos i’ve never fuckin knowingly
aged anything for a FUCKIN year
before
i fully expect it to be STOUT
.
.
champions CURSE !
Cheers H! And see you on Sunday, yowsah!
Leno
Mustafi
Koscielny
Mavropanos
Monreal
Torreira
Xhaka
Mkhitaryan
Ramsey
Iwobi
Aubameyang
Subs:
Cech
Maitland-Niles
Kolasinac
Elneny
Guendouzi
Ozil
Lacazette
Unai certainly springs a surprise or two. Mustafi and Monreal as full backs and Mavropanos starts. I hope he is sound in wind and limb and has a stormer. Koscielny is risked as Sokratis is suspended. Auba upfront and a lot of running in midfield with Ramsey starting and a bit of cojones in Torreira and Xhaka.
Squeaky bum time has begun in earnest. Every game is crucial although if we did lose tonight we are not doomed. But it wouldn’t be good news at all. A draw wouldn’t be a disaster but three points would be a cracking start to the week
COYG!
Enjoy cba!
Good news Esso.
Evening chums.
Holy mother. Unai did what I said. Now I am really worried
Auba spoils the narrative
Get in !!
1-0 Auba
Foster first, now they are playing with 10 men…..
I’m delighted ?
Loving this game.
Why not field your best possible team? Iwobi & Mikh as starters?? I don”t get it boss.
Playing against ten and we still look clueless
Who’s smirking now?
Me, actually.
Leno the MOTM till now.
We seem to have applied the proverbial handbrake after the red card, exemplified by some very careless play in midfield.
I wish we make the most of this golden chance to embarrass Watford, mock Deeney and also build up our goal difference
I wonder if we ever practice our defending???
This is the sort of game we really need to grab hold of now and dominate.
No Suarez again? Not heard if he is injured or not??? If he’s fit then you have to ask, why is he not in the squad??
?
it’s like ye’ve special powers
dorset M
ya fucker ye ?
Bravely in by Mus
Weathered a bit of pressure
after the sending off and we
need to be more clinical 2nd
half
Watford the new Stoke?
But 1-0 up against 10 men
at half time. Happy with that 🙂
With all due respect I honestly thought after their red we would go into let’s ply some ball mode unfortunately that did not happen and this is really bizarre because Watford are there for the taking!
Why do we keep giving the ball away on short passes instead of spreading it out and taking advantage of having the extra man? Watford have been much closer to scoring and dominating possession so what gives, man?
mavro hasn’t covered himself in glory, and i think the idea of a watford goal is still soiling our defense. so we’re playing keepball, and moving slowly and carefully with it in the offensive half, which defuses (most of) what watford can possibly do with 10.
i thought deeney showed a *complete* lack of cojones tossing even a forearm at a defenseless torreira.
i’d like to see us switch to a back 3 (dino, koz, nacho), with a front three of iwobi, laca, and auba, ozil behind, with amn and sead bombing up the flanks. still have four in defense with torreira in there, and neither mikhi nor aaron are showing much this game. and getting mustafi out of there will improve the defense.
early second half goal by the arsenal, please. then rum them ragged.
Not special, CBA, just different.
That Treacle Stout sounds good!
Ozil in and pass them to death
seems to be the plan
I don’t care how as long as we win
I’m not entirely sure what we do at training but we look lethargic with no clue what to do with the ball, stretch them for god sake!
Steve T – https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/15/denis-suarez-hold-talks-unai-emery-training-schedule-slow-start-arsenal-9217197/
Henry Mickey, you git.
Henry Mickey – Yout git (pt2)
Me thinks Mikhi & Iwobi ain’t worth shit.
Jesus H Wotsits.
Henry Mickey – You git (pt 3!)
End of gitting.
Mikhi, please go sit down & watch.
Arsenal wake the f…. up
? deny yer genius dorset
deny it
but you know
we know
?
.
the stout is fuckin amazin
fuckin AMAZING
How bad does Arsenal want to be in top 4?
Thanks Cynic. At least that explains it.
What a terrible substitution
Odd sub.
Got a bad feeling about this game now.
What kind of football intelligence does Iwobi have?
Imagine if Watford had 10 players on the field!!
Not much movement and lots of
giving the ball away.
Need another goal before Watford fluke one in of their own.
Ffs can we just kill the game off please???
Imagine if we had 10 and they had 11.
What kind of entertainment is this?
And need to stop giving unnecessary
free kicks away too
Good cover AMN
Iwobi is clueless at defending….every track back is pure token from him.
And what’s with the subs, how many changes in formation in one game.
And Ozil? Thought he came on at half time?
Are supporters the only ones desperate for top 4? We are playing 10 men…
They are still creating the better, clear cut chances. Lucky to be still ahead. COYG.
It’s dire to watch to be frank!
This was painful to watch, glad it’s over
Fuck it. I’ll take 5 more of them!
Job done. Lucky, the way we played. Clearly their physical approach got to us.
Never in doubt.
Yeeeaaasssss! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The only positive I can take is knowing Troy Deeney will be cringing in the locker room.
Glad of the points but fuck me were we dire to watch, the old painful attitude towards giving the effort is still evident in this squad we are scared shirtless when teams press us higher up the pitch.
We didn’t grow any cojones tonight we were lucky with those decisions and we never got rid off that famous handbrake!