Tonight’s visit of Watford is intriguing for many reasons but none of them really involve the Hornets. This is a team that could not even muster a performance to send of the late Graham Taylor at home so are not likely to threaten and in form Gunners at the Emirates. No this evening is all about collecting the three points with the minimum of fuss and effort ahead of a huge top of the table clash with the leaders at Stamford Bridge at the weekend. That being the case what I will find intriguing is how Wenger approaches tonight both in selection and in tactics.
I have a detailed analysis later in separate article but it seemed that without Ozil in the sider against Southampton, Wenger deployed his 11 differently. The set up was ‘10less’ and more of a 4141 without the ball and 433 with it. The use of three midfielders, one sitting deeper seems a perfect strategy for Stamford Bridge and it is therefore almost frustrating to face Watford beforehand, as the temptation will be to revert to 4231 with Ozil back in the team. Personally, I hope he resists and retains the same shape as an additional rehearsal but perhaps with slightly altered personnel.
Ozil ti return
Before you all think I am suggesting Ozil not play tonight and not play versus Chelsea that is not the case, German can shine in this ‘10less’ system as he did do magnificently at Old Trafford in March 2015; for me one of his finest games in our colours. No I expect Ozil to return tonight but would like to see us return the mobile front three.
In the midfield, this will mean Coquelin undoubtedly returning in the role in which Maitland-Niles so wonderfully deputised on Saturday but there remains a big question over who fills the third central berth. Before the weekend, we might all have thought there was only Ramsey with all our absentees but Oxlade-Chamberlain’s man of the match (for me) performance against Saints gives Wenger a decision. The majority might expect Ramsey to return tonight and I think he will, but just maybe Ox might get the nod for the Chelsea match. Either way Ramsey needs to shine tonight.
Needs a big perfromance
I am sure most observers will see Olivier Giroud back tonight but given that, Watford will almost certainly line up with three centre backs. I would prefer we stay with the formation that excelled on Saturday and a mobile front threesome. I think I read that Welbeck will be rested this evening, which is another firm indication the he will feature at Stanford Bridge. This being the case I would love to see Peres keep the central role but be interchangeable with Alexis, on the left and see Walcott, rested for Chelsea and Iwobi play on the right. Both Iwobi and Alexis will be fresh and certainly the Chilean can be substituted with his ‘usual grace’ when the game is won.
On a quick defensive note, it might be tempting, having rested Koscielny at the weekend, to rest Mustafi tonight and give Holding or Gabriel a match with the skipper. I would love to see Gibbs get an extended run as well and Bellerin was so rusty on Saturday he needs a further 90 minutes under his belt.
.
Order your signed copy here
Team I would love to see:
The above plays can of course equally settle into Wenger’s conventional 4231 but I remain convinced that the 4141/433 is the way forward against our rivals away from the Emirates.
A few Fun facts:
Arsenal are unbeaten in 10 at home in the league and have won 5 in a row.
Arsenal have not conceded and goal from open play in 7 and all 4 conceded have been penalties. The days of dreading corners are gone and the days of dreading referees have replaced them!!
Arsenal have won their last 7 Premier Leagues games against Watford, scoring 19 and Alexis scored in all 3 he has played against them.
Watford are on a dreadful run of 7 winless matches and were dumped of of the FA Cup by Millwall but lest we forget they dumped us out of the same competition last season.
This all means they are poor and we owe them a thrashing.
Passionate fifty-something Arsenal supporter who has been making the journey to N5 regularly since the early 1980s – although his first game was in 1976. Always passionate when talking about The Arsenal, Dave decided to send a guest blog to Gunnersphere in the summer of 2011 and has not stopped writing about the Gunners since.
He set up his own site – 1 Nil Down 2 One Up – in February 2012, which he moved on in 2016 to concentrate on freelance writing and building Gunners Town, which he launched with Paul in 2014.
The objective of GT was to be new and fresh and to give a platform for likeminded passionate Arsenal fans wishing to write about their team. Dave still of course, writes for the site himself and advises the ever-changing writing crew.
No comments yet.