Tactical analysis: Watford vs Arsenal
The announcement that Arsenal are close to signing Lucas Perez and Mustafi brought about a sigh of relief from fans, as Arsenal have now signed a quality centre back, holding midfielder and striker this transfer window. The obvious failures in the last two matches (Alexis at striker, and two inexperienced defenders at centre back) will be remedied.
However, it’s unlikely the new boys will be ready until after the international break, meaning Arsenal have to face a difficult Watford side without them, albeit with a returning Mesut Ozil.
Watford’s new boss has implemented a 3-5-2 system which seems to be growing in popularity. 3 really solid centre halves are protected further by the likes of Etienne Capoue, while the two ‘wide midfielders’ are in fact wing backs. Holebas is not the best going forward, but on the right flank, new signing Daryl Janmaat is a fantastic creator.
Up front, the deadly duo of Ighalo and Deeney haven’t yet clicked this season, but are always a danger, especially if they use their nous to expose the inexperience of Rob Holding, as good as he is.
Arsenal are likely to start without Giroud again, and Alexis will be given one more go up front before Perez comes in. Anonymous in the last two games, some fans are even calling for the maligned Walcott to go striker so Alexis can move back to his favoured wing.
In terms of man to man matchups, only one defendsive midfielder should be needed this week, to keep an eye on new boy Peyrera, with perhaps Wilshere or Cazorla partnering them. However, Wenger may play it safe again due to Watford’s two strikers up front.
Overall, it should be a game where both sides try to dominate possession, but if Arsenal make good use of the flanks (with Bellerin, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Walcott), the overload should be enough to pierece the Watford defence, while any sort of performance by Koscielny should ensure a clean sheet.