Written by Eu-Jinn Teh on Sunday, October 15, 2006

Past Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
14 Oct	3:00 PM	P	Watford (H)	3	0	Win

Arsenal handed manager Arsène Wenger the best possible anniversary present by comprehensively defeating Watford 3-0 at the Emirates yesterday.

Prior to the match, a presentation was made in honour of the French manager to mark his ten years in charge of Arsenal. The other pre-match talk centred around Theo Walcott, who was rumoured to be in the starting lineup following his marvellous performance for the England U21 side last week.

The rumours were true, and Walcott started on the left wing, with Tomas Rosicky playing on the right. Freddie Ljungberg was injured and Alexander Hleb started on the bench.

The injury to Emmanuel Eboue meant Justin Hoyte filled in at right back, with Emmanuel Adebayor chosen to partner Thierry Henry up forward. No doubt Arsène Wenger had one eye on the match against CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.

Walcott caught the eye early on with some industrious play on the left and also some delightful passes. A great ball into Rosicky resulted in a sharp shot from the Czech player, which the goalkeeper did well to save. Emmanuel Adebayor's follow-up was also saved.

Walcott then played in Cesc Fabregas, who managed to round the keeper but flew his shot into the side netting.

However Arsenal did take the lead after 33 minutes, when a lofted Fabregas free kick was nodded down by Adebayor. Under close attention from Kolo Touré, Watford's Jordan Stewart put the ball into his own net.

Arsenal then took route one for their next goal. Jens Lehmann's long goal kick was flicked on by Adebayor to Henry, who used some clever footwork to move the ball away from his marker. He held off the challenge of another defender as he moved towards goal and calmly slotted the ball home.

After the break, Arsenal looked well in control. Watford came out to play, but looked nervous and unsure in front of goal. Yet it always looked like another goal was on the cards.

Having been troubled by close offside decisions all game, the linesman's flag stayed down as Fabregas played a stunning through ball towards Henry. He drew the keeper and then unselfishly squared for Adebayor, who calmly slotted into the open net.

It wrapped up the game for Arsenal, and the only bits of business to conclude were a standing ovation for Theo Walcott in his first Premiership start for Arsenal, and a first glimpse of Gaël Clichy this season, replacing William Gallas at left back for the last ten minutes.

In the end, a comfortable three points, and Arsenal move up to fourth.

User Comments

2

clockendjim

Posted on 16 Oct, 2006 at 10:01 AM - Reply

I was concerned that this might be a banana-skin of a game as we always seem a bit sluggish after a round of International call-ups.
However I was at the game and although I thought we were not 100%, we breezed it really. It would have been by a lot more if wasn't for a brilliant display by the goalkeeper Carson. I was devestated to find that he was on loan from Manchester United though. He will be the future England goalie I am sure.
Anyway I now know why we won so easliy. Reading the Sunday Times write-up of the match, in the player's ratings they reported that we had 12 men on the pitch having fielded two players named Hoyte.
A cunning plan Arsene, although could you not field two Henrys in future.

1

Good to be a GOONAH!!

Posted on 15 Oct, 2006 at 09:12 PM - Reply

Nice to see Walcott start for us... with Clichy, Senderos and nearly Lauren back it looks like the side falling into place...

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