Arsenal vs. Watford: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Arsenal waltzed to an impressive and straight-forward home win over Watford in the Premier League on Saturday, eventually triumphing 4-0.
A good start for the Gunners was translated into tangible success in front of goal when Alex Iwobi crossed for Alexis Sanchez; the Chilean's header was saved but he scored on the rebound without much of a challenge.
Later in the first half, the roles were reversed as Sanchez teed up Iwobi to slot home from 10 yards for a 2-0 lead at the break. A low-key second 45 minutes saw further goals arrive from Hector Bellerin and Theo Walcott.
Here are all the biggest winners and losers from the game at the Emirates Stadium.
Winner: Danny Welbeck
1 of 5
Danny Welbeck didn't hit the target in the first half, but he was very much the bright spark of the Arsenal attack, powering through challenges and creating openings for those in the front line with him.
The striker showed great movement and strength off the ball to evade defenders and find space, with a turn of pace that was rarely matched by the Watford defence.
Welbeck was applauded off when he was substituted for Olivier Giroud, who once again failed to impact, and the English forward continues to push his case to remain Arsenal's first-choice striker.
Loser: Troy Deeney
2 of 5
By contrast to Welbeck, Watford's Troy Deeney was wasteful in possession, slow to react and make use of space on the counter-attack and overly physical with no reason to be at times.
He did have the best chance of the day for Watford as he spun in the box to shoot, but David Ospina was a match for him on the one occasion the Gunners' defence was found wanting.
Deeney simply didn't get into the game, rarely linked with partner Odion Ighalo and simply ended up a frustrated figure who stopped chasing lost causes as the game went on.
Winner: Alexis Sanchez
3 of 5
A superb first 45 minutes from Alexis easily marks him out as a key performer on the day for the Gunners, notching an assist and a goal in the first half.
He was also involved in the buildup for Bellerin's strike as Watford struggled to suppress him coming in off the channels and running behind the back line, playing quick one-twos and darting in past the full-backs who failed to track.
Sanchez hadn't scored at home for a long time in league play, since October, so it was important for the Gunners to see him being effective once more.
Loser: Quique Sanchez Flores
4 of 5
Any of the Watford defenders could have taken our second "loser" spot, with Sebastian Prodl and Allan Nyom in particularly worrying form, but the manager has to take the hit.
Quique Sanchez Flores has had a great first season all told, but Watford have clearly lost concentration in league play of late and the manager needs to get them back in focus.
An FA Cup push is something to look forward to, but they don't want to get dragged back into the battle at the bottom late in the season—Sanchez Flores needs to kickstart things quickly and secure the points they need.
Winner: Alex Iwobi
5 of 5
Another fantastic performance from young attacker Alex Iwobi, who continues to impress.
He was a live wire from kick-off, dribbled at the defence and looked intelligent with his final pass. The clipped cross for Alexis was superb, his own strike was well-taken and he went very close to a brace as he hit the bar with a left-footed effort in the second half.
Iwobi was taken off by Arsene Wenger in the second half, earning great applause from the fans, and he is quickly becoming one of the more important players in the Gunners breaking down defences who sit deep.
