Two new signings, Spanish forward Lucas Perez and German center-back Shkodran Mustafi, look to finally be on the way in before the transfer deadline and, even without them, their team was a joy to watch in the first half on Saturday.
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Ozil made his first start after appearing as a substitute last weekend and his impact was noticeable as the Gunners dominated the early stages. Inside the first 10 minutes, the German clipped a ball into the Watford area and Amrabat jumped into the back of Sanchez to conceded a needless penalty. Santi Cazorla and Granit Xhaka are in midfield.
And Watford were nearly level moments later as Amrabat skipped past Nacho Monreal before his cross was turned towards his own goalkeeper by Laurent Koscielny, but Petr Cech shown fine reactions to push the ball clear.
Arsenal fans will be much happier this week than they have been recently.
The Gunners nearly doubled their advantage midway through the first half when Theo Walcott did well to latch on to Sanchez’s pass across the face of goal, squeezing a shot on target from a tight angle that Heurelho Gomes needed to save.
This was the match where Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez laid down their marker as the kings of the Emirates, once again.
There was nothing fortuitous about Arsenal’s third, however, as Sanchez curled a delightful cross onto the head of Mesut Ozil, who headed home to mark his first start of the season in style. In the 67th minute he broke quickly and showed delightful footwork to play in Alex Oxlade Chamberlain. Cech had to be on alert to make a smart double save from Jose Holebas and Odion Ighalo, while Ighalo also struck an overhead kick just over the crossbar.
Alexis Sanchez had a hand in all three goals as Arsenal picked up their first Premier League win of the season with a 3-1 victory away to Watford.
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Yet a streetwise Arsenal proved themselves to be capable in defence and, on the rare occasions Watford got a true sight of goal, Petr Cech was in commanding form, helping Arsene Wenger’s side to three well-deserved points.
