Arsenal will look to take further three points to their tally when they face Watford on Tuesday night at the Emirates.
To do this, absolute commitment and desire from kickoff just like in the game against Southampton must be on display.
Arsene Wenger’s pre-match conference for the Watford game is very loaded with a lot of positive vibes as regards the team.
Here are a few quotes from it:
On his attacking options especially Welbeck and Walcott:
First of all, I’m pleased with their individual performances. It’s important to have players. We have scored many goals since the start of the season and Danny was not there. To add him to the squad as well gives us huge offensive potential. Now I have to use the strikers well, in the right moment and without destroying the balance of the team. I would add Lucas to that as well. He did very well on Saturday to create chances. Offensively, we have many players who can produce and score
When queried on formation flexibility and its effect on our defensive structure, this is what he had to say;
We can as well play with three at the back. We have Gabriel, we have Mertesacker, we have Holding, we have of course Koscielny and Mustafi. When needed, we can do that. But we are a team who are focused on the offensive game. We like always to go forward and have numbers in the middle of the park and up front
As much as I will like to think of a formation change for some specific games, the idea of a three-man defensive set up isn’t appealing to me as much as a classic 4-3-3 or a 4-4-1-1 like we used to play in the past.
History also sides with the Gunners on this one as they have never lost to Watford in the Premier league in 7 attempts. The last time The Hornets defeated the Gunners was last season in the quarter-finals of the FA cup at the Emirates with a 1-2 scoreline.
Heurelho Gomez has conceded 23 times against the Gunners in the last 8 games in the Premier league and Alexis Sanchez has scored in all the 3 fixtures he has played against them.
Watford have failed to win in any midweek premier league fixture since April 2007, claiming just 2 draws in that 12 games span.
Bottom line, the 3 points are there for the taking and only the Gunners are capable of standing in their own way from claiming it.
M’Baye Niang has been signed on loan from AC Milan by the Hornets and should make his debut. It is imperative he doesn’t get the room to make an impression as he is more than capable of doing just that.
In a nutshell, the Gunners are looking very equipped for not just today’s game but for the sprint stage of the season.
I believe all those who were rested for the Southampton fixture will feature as starters in today’s match up.
Our potential lineup will see Petr Cech in goal, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, and Monreal as the back four. Coquelin and Ramsey will pair up with Özil as the pivot.
The return of Walcott to fitness and goalscoring proficiency should earn him his right flank whilst Perez might occupy the left.
Sanchez might lead the line while Giroud, Welbeck, and Oxlade may start from the bench.
PREDICTED LINE-UP: (GK)Cech, (RB)Bellerin, (RCB)Mustafi, (LCB)Koscielny, (LB)Monreal, (DM)Coquelin, (CM)Ramsey, (CAM)Ozil, (RW)Walcott, (LW)Perez, (CF)Sanchez
Referee: Andre Marriner, Venue: Emirates Stadium, Time: 20:45 GMT + 1, Match Date: Tues 31st of January 2017
Prediction: 3-0 to the Arsenal. Alexis to score.. COYG!
