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[Ratings & video goals] Watford 2-3 Arsenal: Saka stars

By on March 6, 2022

bukayo saka arsenal

Arsenal beat Watford 3-2 in a hugely entertaining game at Vicarage Road this afternoon to move into the top four of the Premier League table.

Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 5th minute and it was a lovely team goal. A great move down the left resulted in a superb one-two involving Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka before the Norwegian slotted into the bottom corner.

Watford drew level just minutes later when Cucho Hernandez scored with a stunning flying overhead kick. However, Arsenal resorted their lead in the 30th minute when Saka fired into the top corner from the edge of the box.

The Gunners opened up a two-goal lead shortly after half-time and it was another wonderful finish. This time it was Gabriel Martinelli who found the back of the net with a first time finish into the top corner from 20 yards to make it 3-1.

The game appeared to be drifting towards a comfortable Arsenal win but Watford pulled one back in the 87th minute out of nothing. A sloppy piece of defending from Ben White allowed Moussa Sissoko to slot under Aaron Ramsdale from close range to make it 3-2 to make it a nervy finish.

However, Arsenal held on to secure a vital 3-2 win that moves us into the top four.

Here are my ratings:

Ramsdale  6/10 | A little nervy at times and was a tad sloppy with his distribution. May be disappointed to let the Sissoko goal go under him but could do very little to prevent the Hernandez stunner.

Cedric  7/10 | Another solid outing for our stand-in right-back. Did his bit defensively and supported down the right flank when needed.

White  6/10 | Terrific block to deny Dennis and was having a good game but was at fault for the late second Watford goal. Very poor defending.

Gabriel  6.5/10 | Looked a little flustered when put under pressure at times. But held firm to see out a nervy final few minutes.

Tierney  5/10 | Watford seemed to target Tierney down Arsenal’s left side and it lead to their equaliser in the first half. Not really a threat going forward either.

Partey  7.5/10 | Another top display. Went close to scoring from the edge of the box and linked up well with his team mates. Was perhaps a little isolated in front of the defence on occasion but worked hard.

Xhaka  6.5/10 | Went about his business with minimal fuss for the majority of the game, but was partly to blame for the second Watford goal.

Saka  9/10 | MOTM. Absolutely tore Watford apart. Set-up Odegaard for the opening goal with a lovely pass before making it 2-1 to Arsenal with a sublime finish. A real threat throughout the game.

Ødegaard  8.5/10 | Wonderful one-two with Saka before slotting home the opening goal. Ran the show for much of the game and linked up superbly with Saka and Lacazette. Another superb performance.

alexandre lacazette arsenal

Martinelli  7.5/10 | Scored what turned out to be the winner with a wonderful finish into the top corner from 20 yards. Worked his socks off as well.

Lacazette  7.5/10 | Showed what he brings to the team with two lovely assists. Didn’t have his shooting boots on again but still played a vital role in the win. Should have won a penalty as well but no surprise it wasn’t given yet again.

Subs:

Pepe   6/10 | Didn’t have the same impact as we saw against Wolves but still looked a threat.

Nketiah   6/10 | Hit the post with a low shot.

Holding   N/A | On too late.

Here are all the goals: