Watford 0-1 Arsenal
Troy Deeney epitomises much of what is laudable about Watford’s Premier League adventure.
He has “cojones” – which translates as balls – as Arsenal know only too well about when you cast your mind back to this corresponding fixture last season.
Then, as many SBOBET fans will remember, he led from the front and played a key part in a last-gasp victory against the Gunners that Watford fans remember fondly.
This time, however, their captain took his combative approach too far and cost his team dearly.
After this result strengthened the Gunners’ Champions League hopes in the process, Deeney cannot expect to receive any good wishes from fans of Spurs, Chelsea, or Man United, either.
Highlights of the game
Indeed, no sooner had he been dismissed in the 11th minute of this match at Vicarage Road, Arsenal fans wasted no time in goading him on social media.
Former Man Utd and England full-back Gary Neville had said before kick-off that Arsenal should make sure they keep him quiet to gain their revenge.
But in the end, a moment of stupidity ensured the Hornets skipper self-destructed as he thrust his forearm into the face of Lucas Torreira.
It capped a true minute of madness for the visitors, who were there for the taking, especially as this fixture was sandwiched between a two-legged Europa League quarter-final with Napoli (the Gunners have a 2-0 advantage from the first leg with the second leg in Naples in 72 hours’ time).
Just 60 seconds earlier, Arsenal scored the only goal of the game – another gift from the home side and one that will make the Premier League 2019 highlights compilation for all the wrong reasons.
Daryl Janmaat passed the ball back to his goalkeeper Ben Foster and couldn’t have expected the Watford No. 1 to take a first poor touch and then see his clearance hit the ankle of the onrushing Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and roll the ball into the net.
Talk about an implosion.
Quiet what manager Javi Gracia made of it all is hard to tell, but the FA Cup finalists were up against it from that quick-fire spell.
In hindsight, a look back to Deeney’s quotes from last season suggests referee Craig Pawson may have been keeping a closer eye than normal on proceedings.
“I have to watch what I say, but 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.’“
Either way, after their 1-0 defeat at Everton a week ago, this was a key win for Arsenal and could well prove crucial come the end of the season.
Foster made a good save to deny Henrikh Mkhitaryan 12 minutes after the restart when Arsenal should have made the game safe. But even against 10 men, they were largely second best.
The closest Watford came to a goal were just past the half-hour and hour mark.
First, Etienne Capoue hit a free-kick which was destined for the top corner until Bernd Leno made a full stretch save.
Then, Adam Masina crashed a shot from 25 yards with the outside of his boot and saw it cannon back off the top of the crossbar.
Despite plenty of energy, Watford’s final ball was so often lacking and could not claim an equaliser against their unimpressive opponents.
As to why, they should look no further than their goalkeeper and their captain.
There was nothing ballsy about Deeney’s actions, which hurt the Hornets in a huge way.
Key statistics
Since returning to the Premier League in 2015, Watford have picked up 15 red cards in the competition, more than any other side.
Arsenal have won five of their previous six Premier League visits to Vicarage Road.
This was Watford’s first home defeat since Boxing Day, although they have only won two of their 16 Premier League games on a Monday (drawn five, lost nine).
The Gunners have won only three of their last 13 away matches in all competitions. And this was their first clean sheet away from home in the league this season.
Aubameyang is Arsenal’s highest Premier League goalscorer this season with 18 goals, yet this was his first away from home in 2019. He has been directly involved in three goals in his three Premier League appearances against Watford, scoring two and assisting one.
What’s next?
Watford travel to rock-bottom and already relegated Huddersfield Town next, before hosting Southampton a week from tomorrow (April 23).
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s hectic schedule continues with the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final at Napoli in three days’ time. They then host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Easter Day before a trip to Wolves next Wednesday, when the Premier League 2019 betting odds may change yet again.
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