Arsenal vs. Watford: Score, Reaction from 2016 FA Cup Quarter-Final
FA Cup holders Arsenal crashed out of the competition on Sunday as Watford won 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium in a dramatic tie.
Goals from Odion Ighalo and Adlene Guedioura gave Watford a deserved advantage in the second half as the Gunners struggled to find the target, suffocating under waves of counter-attacks from the visitors.
Substitute Danny Welbeck gave Arsenal hope with a goal in the final moments, but the hosts' lack of finishing led to their downfall.
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The Hornets gave one of their best performances of the season, taking their place in the last four and booking a trip to Wembley.
David Ospina continued in goal for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, with Petr Cech still sidelined through injury, but Francis Coquelin returned from suspension to replace Mathieu Flamini in midfield. Theo Walcott dropped to the bench alongside Alex Iwobi, with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez taking their spots in the starting XI.
Watford coach Quique Sanchez Flores made three changes from the side that suffered a 1-0 defeat to Leicester City in the Premier League, as Craig Cathcart, Valon Behrami and Guedioura came in.
Arsenal were quickly out of the blocks against the Hornets as they looked to swiftly open their goal account.
Olivier Giroud coolly tucked away an opportunity on nine minutes after Sanchez fed the Frenchman, but the striker was a shade offside.
Watford quickly weathered the storm, and despite the hosts having the majority of possession, the visitors started to work their way into the game.
The Gunners were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men midway through the first half, as Gabriel Paulista launched into a dangerous two-footed tackle on Troy Deeney.
The attacker beat the defender to the ball in a 50-50 challenge, and the Brazilian launched himself off the ground as he crunched the Watford captain.
Referee Andre Marriner didn't give a free-kick despite being yards from the incident, but TV replays showed the extent of the poor tackle.
Broadcaster Stan Collymore shared footage of the talking point:
Adam Crafton of the MailOnline wasn't impressed with the referee's decision-making:
Arsenal should have taken the lead before the break after Mohamed Elneny spurned two glorious chances to open his account for his new team.
The Egypt international twice missed the target after finding the ball at his feet inside the box.
Wenger's men also had a strong shout for a penalty, as Sebastian Prodl appeared to foul Ozil in the box, but, once again, the referee refused to blow his whistle.
Neither side were able to find a shot on target as the teams departed the pitch at half-time. WhoScored.com shared the vital stats of the match, including player ratings:
There was a subdued atmosphere at the Emirates crowd as the second half began, as Watford looked motivated and committed.
And a shock looked on the cards after only four minutes of the restart as Ighalo swivelled and turned to fire the ball beyond Ospina. Deeney beat the Arsenal defence to a flick on from a throw-in, and the ball landed at Ighalo's feet, with his predatory skills punishing the cup holders.
BT Sport Football shared the clinical finish:
Squawka.com highlighted Ighalo's contribution this term:
The Hornets almost doubled their lead two minutes later when Ighalo snatched at a shot and missed the target, as Arsenal appeared punch-drunk on the ropes.
Watford's travelling contingent were in full voice as their team passed the ball with menace, but the Gunners shook off the cobwebs and began to fight.
However, as Arsenal bombed up the field, the visitors looked dangerous on the break. Ighalo was presented with a chance to bury the contest on the hour mark, but the striker fluffed his lines as he stumbled just yards from the target.
The home supporters could detect their men were throwing caution to the wind, as Giroud hit the target from close range, only to see Pantilimon make a fine save. But Gunners hearts were broken a minute later after the Hornets grabbed a second goal.
Deeney was once again the man at the centre of his side's best play. The striker held up the ball in the penalty area and laid the ball off to Guedioura, who smashed the ball into the top corner past a stricken Ospina.
BT Sport Football shared the magical strike:
Presenter Gary Lineker tipped his hat to the goalscorer:
Wenger brought on Walcott and Welbeck in a desperate attempt to save the game, and the pair helped drive their team deep into Watford territory.
The hosts pummelled Watford's goal in the closing minutes as they quickened their attack.
However, the visitors continued to play an effective brand of counter-attacking football and always looked dangerous when they stole the ball from Arsenal's midfield.
The Gunners set up a grandstand finish in the final moments as Welbeck converted from close range. The striker slammed away his effort into the inside corner to give his team a chance. However, the England player missed an open goal in the final seconds with Pantilimon beaten.
Watford celebrated as the referee blew for full-time as Arsenal's end-of-season problems intensify despite fielding a full-strength side.
The visitors deserved their win for their bravery and guile, and they will feel they have a strong chance of making the final.
Post-Match Reaction
Wenger was bitterly disappointed after the game and believed his side deserved a positive result as they battled hard in the closing moments, as quoted by journalist Duncan Castles:
Deeney reacted to the flashpoint challenge by Gabriel in the first half, and played down the incident after the match, per BT Sport Football:
Watford become the third team to qualify for the FA Cup semi-finals, joining Everton and Crystal Palace in the last four.
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