As I explained in my Form Guide for Watford v Arsenal, the Hornets have lost all seven home games since beating Man United back in October. Our London rivals have dropped down to second bottom in the League table, but they went to Old Trafford last time out for the return match against United and managed to hold Rangnick’s side to a goalless draw.
This was a massive unexpected away point against a challenger for the Top Four, and the Watford midfielder Ken Sema thinks this shows that his team can display “character and strength” in the race against relegation.
“It is really important this result, especially to earn it against a team like Manchester United,” Sema told the Watford Official website.
“We came here and showed we can fight and we are as good as them. It shows our character and strength but now we need to keep going. We have a home game against Arsenal, and we need to keep improving because it’s all about the points now.
“We need to keep going and try our best every game. Obviously, there aren’t that many games left so we just need to take it a game at a time and not think too far ahead. Now my focus is on Arsenal, and we will see about the result. Afterwards, we go again.”
So, although on paper this should be an easy win for Arteta’s in-form Arsenal side, but as we have seen many times this season, football is not played on paper and Arsenal should be very wary of slipping on this big banana skin. Just ask Man United….
Arsenal should beat Watford, City should beat United, Liverpool should beat WHU and Spurs should beat Everton but all the underdog teams have a desperate need to win. I think this will be a fiery round and would not be at all surprised if their are upsets. If we win and other results go our way we will have a lead and games in hand and we might start to believe 4th place really is a possibility.
Unfortunately, we always win on paper. This simply justifies why we struggle against small teams that other rivals just brush through.
If I were the coach, I would play Smith Rowe and Pepe. I think Saka’s game as well as that of Martinelli are too easily readable.
Did Man Utd brush Watford through home and away this season?
We are talking something positive but you still find a way to be negative about Arsenal!
I’m looking forward to the game as always
It will be interesting to see how it pans out, they tried to get a nil nil at our place, it made for a poor game and we just about nicked it but I reckon it might be different this time
They are at home and wereas a draw was OK then they need all three points now, Hodgson is a different Manager to Raneiri and it could be a good game
Although ManU’s firepower didn’t do the business on the day they had numerous chances against Watford last time out
It would be good to see us strut our stuff but I’d take 1-0 at this stage of the season