Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli were on target for Arsenal in their Premier League win over Watford on Sunday.
Follow Us
Arsenal earned a hard-fought 3-2 win over Watford in the Premier League matchday 28 action on Sunday at the Vicarage Road Bridge. Martin Odegaard (5′), Bukayo Saka (30′) and Gabriel Martinelli (52′) were on target for the Gunners in either side of the halves while Cucho Hernandez (11′) and Moussa Sissoko (87′) netted for the home side. The victory helped the Mikel Arteta-managed side leapfrog Manchester United into fourth spot with 48 points and having played three matches less than the Red Devils.
Watford FC created an early chance in the 19th second of the match as Emmanuel Dennis raced behind the Arsenal defence and beat Aaron Ramsdale to seemingly open the scoring. But, fortunately, for the visitors he was flagged offside by the assistant referee.
England international Saka, later, made a brilliant run down the right to pick up Odegaard who took a touch before finding the far corner of the net and giving the visitors an early lead. However, minutes later Hernandez restored parity for the Hornets, with a brilliant over-head kick.
Saka, then, put Arsenal in front again with their captain Alexandre Lacazette playing a key role to hold off Craig Cathcart before passing on the ball to the Englishman.
The game remained full of life in the second-half with the home team creating ample opportunities but it was Arteta’s men who showed better composure and came out on top at the final whistle.
READ MORE: Arsenal vs Wolves: Jose Sa’s injury-time own goal helps the Gunners win 2-1
Arteta highlighted that Arsenal will take one game at a time to maintain their place in the top four. He also described his role in appearing to leave his technical area and throwing the ball to Bukayo Saka before the third goal.
“We are there now and we’ll go game by game. Every game is a rollercoaster, we have three big games coming up in a week,” Arteta said in the post-match conference.
“I saw the ball there and saw an opportunity to take an advantage. I don’t know if I should have done it but that is the way I live the game and I couldn’t help myself.
“I see how willing they [the players] are every day to train and improve. I think they are enjoying playing together and when some days, it is not your best day, you somehow manage to win and that is important.
“We have to be very honest with ourselves and our defensive structure was not good enough today. We allowed some chances and it is something we will work on.”
Manchester City vs Liverpool: Talking points from the action-packed draw
