Archive for October 16th, 2006

Arsenal 3 – 0 Watford

31 comments October 16th, 2006

Some might say it’s ludicrous to write a report of a match that happened two days ago.  However, I beg to differ.  As, bizarrely, do all of Monday’s papers.  Has it ever struck you as odd that they insist on re-reporting all the matches that have already been written up in Sunday’s papers?  It’s as if Sunday never happens in some areas of Fleet Street.

If any match is worth raking up, it’s probably this one: an end-to-end encounter with both signs showing a willingness to attack.  In Watford’s case, this was commendable but ultimately naieve.  Trying to take on the best attacking side in the league at their own game is a risky move, and that gamble didn’t pay off for Aidy Boothroyd & Co.

The big news of the day was Theo Walcott’s first start on the left-hand side of midfield, with Tomas Rosicky switching to the right.  The teenager was excellent, particularly in the first half, when his pace and passing gave Watford’s leaky defence real problems.

Rosicky himself was superb throughout the match, as he has been all season.  It has to be said that really looks like one of the best buys of the summer.

Both sides had chances to take the lead before Watford put the ball in the net.  Unfortunately for them, it was their own: a lofted Cesc Fabregas freekick was flicked on by Emmanuel Adebayor before Jordan Stewart diverted the ball into his own net.  It looked for all the world like Kolo Toure had got the final touch, but he held his hands up and admitted the own-goal.

Before long, it was 2-0.  A goal-kick from Lehmann was contested by Adebayor, and the ball bounced through for Thierry Henry to race in on goal and finish left-footed.  The goal forced Watford to flood forward, leading acres of space for Arsenal’s incisive counter-attacks.

A third was only a matter of time.  The imperious Fabregas slipped a ball through to Thierry Henry, who unselfishly squared for Emmanuel Adebayor to grab a deserved tap-in: his first goal at The Emirates Stadium.

Although Watford weren’t the sternest test, this was a promising performance.  When you consider the youth of players like Johan Djourou, Justin Hoyte, Fabregas, and of course Walcott then the result becomes all the more impressive.  Another boost came with the return of Gael Clichy, who clocked up ten minutes as a substitute.

Fabregas was dominant, Rosicky bristling, and Henry outstanding.  A word though for Emmanuel Adebayor.  I’ve always supported the Togolese totem-pole, and with good cause.  Our first two goals against Watford were real route-one stuff, and neither would’ve been possible without him challenging for those high balls.  Needless to say, he added the third himself.  Robin van Persie is immensely skillful, no doubt, but against the more physical sides, Adebayor is vital.

There’s added competition up-front now, with the emergence of Walcott.  Wenger said of the teenager’s first start:

“I gave Thierry exactly the same start as Theo had today.  In October when he was seventeen and a half, exactly the same.  Nobody expected him and he played.  He is comparable because at that stage Thierry was also dangerous in some situations and you feel Theo needs to be more involved in the game, but that comes with practise.”

I’d imagine he’ll be back on the bench in Moscow, where he will be joined by Denilson, but it must give the boy a real lift to know the manager has such faith in him.  The comparison with Thierry can only mean good things…


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