Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hailed the impact of Granit Xhaka on his side and sees similarities with ex-Gunner Emmanuel Petit. In the second half we dropped physically, but of course we need him.
Advertisement
In the day’s early kick-off, Liverpool and Tottenham drew 1-1 at White Hart Lane after Danny Rose cancelled out James Milner’s first-half penalty.
“Now Mesut is almost there, not quite, and he goes again”.
Ronald Koeman s team enjoyed a stroke of luck in the 51st minute when Leighton Baines penalty – awarded for a foul on Ashley Williams – was pushed onto a post by Shay Given, only for the ball to rebound off the Stoke goalkeeper s head into the net for an own goal.
The visitors went into the match having won all six of their previous Premier League meetings with Watford, and it took them less than 10 minutes to make the first step towards maintaining that 100 per cent record. Alexis Sanchez ultimately turned the ball home in rather awkward and fortunate circumstances, but the whole goal was an indication of Walcott’s improving end product.
But Arsenal looked sharper this time around and, with the signings of Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez imminent, they are in better shape heading into the global break.
The midfielder opened his account for the season in the win over Watford.
Watford now sit 14th in the Premier League table, just one below their opponents, Arsenal.
“Xhaka has a good touch in the game, and he’s calm, his passing is effective”, Wenger said. “We have not got any plans for anyone else now”.
While it’s normally Ozil who is the provider of those types of assists, Wenger said he wants more goals from the German star.
Manager Walter Mazzarri is yet to taste victory since his appointment in the summer but he was able to give debuts to Pereyra, Daryl Jaanmat, Younes Kaboul and Isaac Success.
“He’s a great player, we have a lot of players in this position, great players like Coquelin, Elneny, Jack Wilshere”.
It is unconfirmed how long the “kick” will keep Monreal out for, but given the little concern Wenger showed, it may be a case of a fitness test before Arsenal’s next match to confirm if he is ready to play.
“It’s true, there are many options and we are talking about some big European clubs”, agent Miroslav Bicanic told Index in Croatia, in quotes picked up by Football Italia.
Petit played a similar role for Arsenal in the late 1990s, helping the club to a Premier League title and an FA Cup triumph.
Advertisement
After the worldwide break, Watford travel to West Ham on Saturday, 10 September while Arsenal host Southampton.
