Alexis Sanchez scored one goal, set up another and also earned a penalty as Arsenal used a dominant first-half display to beat Watford 3-1 for its first win of the Premier League season on Saturday.
Advertisement
Had Watford grabbed a second goal at that point it is easy to imagine Arsenal crumbling, which should be a concern for Wernger amid the joy of a valuable three points.
After a brief bright spell from the hosts, Arsenal (1-1-1) struck on the break as Theo Walcott delivered a mouth-watering cross for Sanchez to bundle.
Watford’s fearless decision not to merely play for damage limitation led to a well-contested second half.
Mazzarri responded by introducing new signing Pereyra, and the former Juventus player needed just 11 minutes to mark his debut with a goal.
And goalkeeper Cech knows Arsenal fans will accept nothing less than a meaningful tilt at English football’s biggest prize, the team having struggled to keep pace with the Foxes in the second half of last season. We can take a lot of positives from the second half though.
“We paid a heavy price in our first game (the 4-3 defeat to Liverpool) because we were not ready, we had not the players back at home. Pereyra, (Daryl) Janmaat, (Younes) Kaboul and (Isaac) Success all came in and did very well”.
“They will integrate into the team now and we will help them”, said the manager.
“I am not happy because we conceded but a win is a win”.
The Hornets pushed for another goal in the closing stages but were unable to bypass the Arsenal defence, as the visitors claimed their first win of the season.
“We are working and the results will come”.
After halftime Watford finally showed up, and they were able to get a goal after a bit of pinball in the Arsenal box.
“I believe we shot ourselves in the foot in the first game and were under huge pressure”.
Advertisement
Arsenal are now unbeaten in their last seven Premier League away games and continue their 100 per cent record against Watford in the Premier League to move onto four points from their three outings this season. It gives us a chance to get some oxygen and some space.
