A confident Arsenal performance was too much for Watford as Granit Xhaka put in a man of the match performance on a warm afternoon in Hertfortshire.
Much of the talk en route to the game was of incoming transfers as Arsenal have raided La Liga with the signings of Lucas Perez and World Cup Winner Shkodran Mustafi. Fans were then delighted to hear of the news that Mustafi’s compatriot Mesut Ozil was named to make his first start of the season.
The Arsenal away fans were in full voice yet again showing their fantastic support despite the negativity around the around the club in recent weeks.
The game kicked off and Arsenal came flying out of the blocks with Alexis looking lively and the Gunners using the flanks to exploit Watford’s weaknesses. Granit Xhaka was starting to impose himself on the game and fans were purring at his range of passing. One fan commented that the boy is “different gravy.” The talk in the stands was that the fans were pleased to see Granit put his foot in and stamp his authority in midfield.
Arsenal’s fast paced start was rewarded as Alexis was clattered and Santi Cazorla stepped up to take a penalty. He sent Gomes the wrong way and 1-0 to The Arsenal as the fans were singing Cazorla’s name.
Arsenal then controlled the game with Xhaka’s passing combined with the movement of the Arsenal attacking players causing all sorts of problems. Walcott was then denied by Gomes with a low effort assisted by the the impressive Cazorla. The noisy away support were then shouting obscenities at referee Kevin Friend and when he booked Prodl it was greeted with sarcastic applause.
Arsenal were bamboozling their opponents but Watford did try to get rewarded by floating in crosses for Deeney and the dangerous Ighalo. Arsenal fans at this point were seething especially at Bellerin and Monreal claiming they were not going out to stop crosses. Cech had to be alert saving from a defected effort. Arsenal then looked to ramp up the pressure and on 40 minutes a lovely cross from Theo Walcott was met by Alexis whose effort was over the line to send the Arsenal fans in raptures.
Then on the stroke of half time Alexis turned provider and fan favourite Mesut Ozil headed home a lovely move and Arsenal supporters were jumping for joy and the deafening chant broker out- “We got Ozil! Mesut Ozil! I just don’t think you understand!” Half time and Arsenal were cruising to their first win of the season. Arsenal were brilliant but the name on everyones lips was Granit Xhaka. My friend came to me from the lower row to tell me that Granit was running the show and at 23 years of age he was showing so much maturity.
The second half began and Watford were trying to restore some pride. Arsenal though took their foot off the gas and Watford then scored through Pereya with a close effort. Arsenal fans were complaining about the players failing to clear their lines and that if they got another one then it would be squeaky bum time. Some fans to the right had some toilet roll which was taken from the toilets and wanted to throw in the air at the right moment with a young fan claiming “this used to happen in the seventies!”
Arsenal were then hanging on as Cech made a save from Holebas and later made a fantastic double save showing his goalkeeping prowess. Troy Deeney looked like he was still on his holidays with a fan next to me eluding to the fact that he was 55 and not as fat as Troy Deeney. He commented that “he looked like a Sunday league player!” The same fan was enjoying himself and amusing the other Arsenal supporters around him as he then mocked Isaac Success who came on for Watford stating players have funny names now and that he has not joined the right club if he wants “success!”
Mohammed Elneny, Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs then came on to shore things up but Ighalo had a chance late on when his spectacular bicycle kick was over the bar. Arsenal saw the game out and secured their first win of the season.
The away support was unbelievable yet again and as fans were leaving the stands Granit Xhaka was being praised for a masterclass performance. The passing was sublime and he made some snapping tackles which made the supporters happy and feeling we have a player who will give us the bite in midfield.
Still work to be done but a big win and we look forward to the home match against Southampton after the international break.
If anyone can, Xhaka can! Up the Arsenal!!!
Written by Sir A
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Another fine report Sir A I think you captured the game perfectly.
It sounds like you have your Arsenal back, Sir A. 😀
Great report and thanks again for the special crowd comments.
The boy is different gravy 😀⚽️
Super report Sir A – thank you.
I loved the first half …. just one small gripe, why do we often start the second half of games half asleep. Maybe Arsene should dispense with the Wagner and play the boys some AC DC in the changing room? 🙂
Last point, and don’t take this as a negative. Once again, when I see the midfield options we still had yesterday and the speed and fluidity of our passing, I ask myself, how is Ramsey going to improve this team?
I love the dual threat we pose now with the short sharp passing of Özil and Sanchez or the more direct accurate passing of Xhaka. It’s important that we have pace in behind to make the most of it so will probably continue to see Walcott playing with Perez a possibility aswell.
Those stats you put on the last post Eddie seem to indicate that Perez was better statistically than Griezemann last season! Should be fun watching Perez, Sanchez and Özil linking up!
Whats funny is Xhaka had the joint worst Arsenal player rating in The Sun’s review of the game today.
Excellent, Sir A.
It sounds as though you had more positive fans around you than at Leicester. Then again, it’s easy to be positive when your team scores early, so I suppose that may have had a lot to do with it.
Can I ask a question about tickets? How do you manage to get one for any game you want?
he is a spiv 🙂
Thanks Sir A, great report. Your enthusiasm is catching 🙂
In
Commentator just said ‘he was beaten by the quick feet of Jonny Evans’ 😂😂😂😂
Made me chuckle!
If you’re not fan of Wenger, then you should watch more games like this West Brom v Boro game because you might come to appreciate just how lucky we are! We might not win as many trophies as we’d like but at least we don’t have to watch this utter garbage every week! 😂
Lol
Fred. In the last comments about tickets, I was writing about the situation at West Ham.
Sir A. Another cracker. Your reports are so much better than the newspapers.
I was very happy with both halfs. The first from an attacking POV and the second from the defensive. The goal we gave away was pure bad luck – 3 ricochets which ended up gifting a goal.
Or ok thought was a ticket situation with us, I want to come up to see a few games in November so was panicking
Why can’t Walcott do this?
Chas,
It’s because there is only one Theo Walcott. 🙂
RA
Shhh, the camel wormer might be polishing his nib.
😀 😀
Lol good one Chas
Hi All,
Firstly I would like to say a big thank you for your kind comments! It’s great to hear your views! A big win on Saturday.
I managed to get a ticket for away games as I am a member of the Arsenal Supporters Club on St Thomas street just down the rod from the Arsenal tube station. You would only get a ticket if you travel on the coach with them.
I really enjoy writing for this blog and will hopefully try to attend a few more away games!
Akhbar (@SirAHussain14)
Also I would just like to apologise for the delay in sending this report. Straight after the game I had to go back to Wembley have a shower get changed and go straight to the West End with my wife to watch the Lion King which started at 7:30pm!
I highly recommend going! So I saw 2 fantastic performances- The Arsenal and the Lion King cast!
UTA!!!
Sir A,
We enjoy your match reports, so the feeling is mutual 😀
We have someone that shouts on the pitch. 🙂
(I’m not sure he’s shouting ‘Sanchez’ though)
From Arseblog news…….
New post, a bit early but I am off to ride some stupidly long ks
I take pleasure in, lead to I discovered just what I used to be having a look for.
You’ve ended my 4 day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.
Bye