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Arsenal and Bukayo Saka turn on the style to beat Watford with three stunning goals

Sam Dean
·23 min read
Martinelli celebrates scoring Arsenal's third at Vicarage Road - AP
Martinelli celebrates scoring Arsenal's third at Vicarage Road - AP

  • Sublime finishes from Odegaard, Saka and Martinelli give Arsenal the three points

  • Watford put up fight but unable to prevent third successive home defeat as they battle relegation

  • Arteta's team up to fourth ahead of Manchester derby

There is a growing sense of optimism and promise at Arsenal, who look increasingly well-placed in the race for the Premier League’s top four, and in Bukayo Saka they have a player who could make all the difference over the final months of this campaign.

Saka is not just the leading youngster in the league’s youngest team, but the leading youngster in the entire division. No player under the age of 21 has been involved in more goals this season than this prodigious 20-year-old, and his contributions once again proved crucial as Arsenal secured a fourth consecutive league victory.

Better teams than Watford have struggled to handle Saka’s speed of thought and movement, and Roy Hodgson’s relegation-threatened side came up short in their attempts to stop him at Vicarage Road. Saka created one, scored another and then played a pivotal role in the third as Mikel Arteta’s team continued their drive towards the Champions League places.

“At his age, what he is doing is phenomenal,” said Arteta of his young winger, who has rebounded spectacularly from the disappointment of missing the decisive penalty in last year’s European Championship final. “I think Bukayo had an experience in the summer that not a lot of players will ever have. I think it was great for his career. The football world showed how much they like him and how much they respect him.”

Saka was not alone, though, and he once again had support from Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli in attack. There was also another creative showing from Alexandre Lacazette, the relative old man of this Arsenal frontline, as the visitors recovered from Cucho Hernandez’s wonderful bicycle kick in the first half.

Even Arteta was helping with their attacks, with the 39-year-old showing his own youthful energy as he raced down the touchline to fetch the ball in the build-up to Arsenal’s third goal. “I saw the ball there and saw an opportunity to take advantage,” he said. “I don't know if I should have done it but that is the way I live the game and I couldn't help myself.”

Hodgson has been around this sport long enough to know that Arsenal are simply in a different class to Watford. These matches will not define Watford’s season or their attempts to avoid relegation, and a couple of high-profile absentees meant the afternoon was always going to be a slog for a team that had won just once in their last 15 matches. A late Moussa Sissoko effort brought them encouragement at the end, even if there were no points to show for it.

“I don’t think I can ask for any more from the players,” said Hodgson, who was without forwards Joshua King and Ismaila Sarr. “We did not give up. They punished us for one or two mistakes around our penalty area.”

In the contest between the league’s oldest manager and its youngest, it was Arteta who landed the first blow thanks to a goal that embodied his tactical approach. The Spaniard’s system is built on quick passing and slick interchanges, creating overloads and combinations all over the field, and Saka and Odegaard understand it better than most.

Before Watford could comprehend what was happening to them, the ball had fizzed between the two Arsenal forwards on the right wing, and then back again, before Odegaard calmly rolled his finish beyond Ben Foster in the home side’s goal.

If the opener was one of the finest team goals of the season so far, then Watford’s equaliser was one of the best individual efforts. As Kiko Femenia’s cross arced away from Arsenal’s goal, Hernandez launched himself skywards and connected perfectly on the volley. Facing the wrong way, upside down in the air, Hernandez still found the corner.

In an engaging match, it was Saka who provided the next moment of genuine quality. After pinching the ball from Tom Cleverley, he swiftly played it into the path of Lacazette. One backheeled pass and one devastating finish later, Arsenal had their lead back.

The third came from Martinelli, who fired his finish into the top corner after Arteta had played ball-boy on the touchline. From Arteta it went to Saka, before Lacazette eventually teed up his Brazilian team-mate.

The three points seemed inevitable from that moment onwards for Arsenal, who almost had a fourth when Eddie Nketiah fired against the post, but there were to be some late nerves despite their control.

Watford’s hope came from the hard work of Sissoko, ever the willing runner. Sissoko bundled his way past Ben White before sliding a low finish into the corner. It was a goal out of nothing, and seemed to take everyone involved by surprise, but it set up an unexpectedly tense finish. Arsenal were able to hold on, though, for another deserved and Saka-inspired victory.

Arsenal beat Watford - as it happened:

03:57 PM

FULL TIME: Watford 2-3 Arsenal

Well that was an entertaining 90 minutes.

Arsenal deserved the win in the end. When they turned on the style they looked sublime and scored a trio of wonderful goals. Saka and Odegaard were superb and this win will give Arteta and Co the belief they can get that fourth spot come the end of the season.

Watford did well and were never out of the match. They may have lost another home match but they can take several crumbs of comfort from this match to take onto their relegation battle beyond.

03:52 PM

93 mins: Watford 2-3 Arsenal

Sissoko and Kalu combine well before Kalu fires from distance. It's on target but it's a shot that was never going to trouble Ramsdale, though.

03:50 PM

91 mins: Watford 2-3 Arsenal

Cedric is down with cramp...that doesn't go down too well with the home fans who fear he's simply time wasting.

03:48 PM

89 mins: Watford 2-3 Arsenal

Five minutes injury time to come...

03:48 PM

89 mins: Watford 2-3 Arsenal

One last change for Arsenal - a defender, Rob Holding, for Odegaard, who, once again has been a delight to watch.

03:47 PM

88 mins: Watford 2-3 Arsenal

Can Watford get a draw? It seemed unlikely a few minutes ago...

One last change for the hosts - Kalu is on for Cleverley.

03:45 PM

GOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLL!!!! Watford 2-3 Arsenal

Sissoko gives his team half a chance with a well-taken goal!

The ball comes into the box from the right flank, the midfielder chests it down well before cutting inside Ben White and slotting home from close range. Not great defending from White there...

All set for a grandstand finish now...

03:42 PM

84 mins: Watford 1-3 Arsenal

This match is meandering to its conclusion, not much time for the hosts to get back into it now.

03:40 PM

80 mins: Watford 1-3 Arsenal

Nketiah nearly makes an instant impression - he drives towards the box and tries to catch Foster out with a low shot to the near post. The Watford man gets a touch, deflecting it for a corner.

03:38 PM

78 mins: Watford 1-3 Arsenal

Another change for the visitors - no goal for Lacazette but's he's had a good game, setting up both Saka and Martinelli's goals. The captain is off for Nketiah.

03:35 PM

76 mins: Watford 1-3 Arsenal

This game is slipping away from Watford, Arsenal are, as they've been doing all match, passing the ball well and controlling possession.

03:33 PM

73 mins: Watford 1-3 Arsenal

Change for Arsenal - Pepe is on for Martinelli.

03:31 PM

70 mins: Watford 1-3 Arsenal

Great chance for the hosts as Femenia gets in behind the Arsenal defence on the right and plays a low, fizzing cross across the box BUT Dennis (the one Watford player you'd want a good chance to fall at the feet of) completely miscues his attempt at the back post and the opportunity goes begging. As I said earlier, Watford have asked questions of Arsenal and can take some crumbs of comfort from this game, regardless of what the final score is.

03:27 PM

67 mins: Watford 1-3 Arsenal

Corner for Arsenal - they take their time over it, doubtless trying to calm the tempo down, it's been a bit end-to-end this half.

They win another corner - the ball comes out to Cedric and his powerfully shot is bravely blocked by Cathcart.

03:24 PM

Arteta assist?

03:22 PM

63 mins: Watford 1-3 Arsenal

Change for Watford - Louza (whose had a good game) is off for Keyembe. The crowd don't like it and try to boo away their frustration.

03:21 PM

61 mins: Watford 1-3 Arsenal

Hernandez and Dennis combine well on the right before the latter strikes. His attempt is well blocked by Ben White.

It looks as though the hosts will lose this but they've shown enough in the first hour to give them some crumbs of comfort for the relegation battle ahead.

03:20 PM

60 mins: Watford 1-3 Arsenal

Don't want to tempt fate but...going on this match (at least going forward) and the past month it looks as though Arsenal have turned a corner under Arteta.

03:18 PM

Another stunner

03:16 PM

56 mins: Watford 1-3 Arsenal

Ramsdale is usually good with his feet but his clearance finds Pedro who finds Cleverley and the Arsenal man makes amends with a decent, but fairly regulation, save.

03:14 PM

55 mins: Watford 1-3 Arsenal

This game is really flowing now - Kamara breaks free on the left, driving into the box before shooting high and wide. Not the best decision there when he had team-mates in the box.

03:12 PM

53 mins: Watford 1-3 Arsenal

That goal was a delight to watch - a throwback to the Wenger days - Odegaard is at the heart of the move in the inside-right channel flicking the ball into the feet of Lacazette. He tees it up for Martinelli whose first-time strike gives Foster no chance in the Watford goal.

The actual move was started by Arteta on the touchline - he got the ball to Saka who was then able to take a quick throw - assist for the manager?

03:10 PM

GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLL!!! Watford 1-3 Arsenal

And it's another beautiful goal - slick passing move ending with a great strike from outside the box from Martinelli!

03:09 PM

50 mins: Watford 1-2 Arsenal

Hernandez goes over claiming he's the victim of a stray elbow. The ref is having none of it and after a slight delay play resumes.

03:07 PM

49 mins: Watford 1-2 Arsenal

Partey finds Cedric in acres of space on the right - he then launches an enthusiastic cross to the back post that troubles no one in particular.

03:05 PM

47 mins: Watford 1-2 Arsenal

Watford seeing plenty of the ball so far this half but they've come up against a resolute Arsenal backline.

03:03 PM

45 mins: Watford 1-2 Arsenal

Back under way at Vicarage Road. Watford had their moments in the first half, can they get back into this?

03:00 PM

Another Saka stat

02:54 PM

Young gun having some fun

02:48 PM

HALF TIME: Watford 1-2 Arsenal

It's been a lovely first 45 minutes to watch. Both sides have contributed to the contest but the midfield masterclass from Odegaard and Saka has given Arsenal the edge and it's hard to see how Watford get back into this if that pair continue to wreak havoc.

02:46 PM

45 mins: Watford 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal again ping the ball about at pace and create an opening in the box - this time Partey and Martinelli combine on the right before the latter shoots low. The attempt is cleared for a corner and the visitors cannot create anything from the set piece.

02:44 PM

44 mins: Watford 1-2 Arsenal

This first half has flown by - been great to watch.

02:44 PM

42 mins: Watford 1-2 Arsenal

Cedric goes down in the Watford box under the challenge of Kamara. Arsenal don't really appeal for the penalty and the replay reveals why: the Watford man clearly got the ball before catching his Arsenal opponent.

02:41 PM

39 mins: Watford 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal have dominated possession since they took the lead. Not sure that was the case before Saka's strike.

They are passing the ball well until, as I type that, they lose it and give away a free-kick near the centre circle...

02:37 PM

Sublime Saka

02:36 PM

36 mins: Watford 1-2 Arsenal

Before that Saka strike Watford were looking the more likely to score, they're now struggling to create chances when in the Arsenal half.

02:34 PM

33 mins: Watford 1-2 Arsenal

This is a game of great goals so far - long may it continue. Can goals be disallowed for not being beautiful enough?*

*I know the answer is 'no'...shame...

02:33 PM

31 mins: Watford 1-2 Arsenal

Lacazette has been fairly quiet until now - following up that assist for Saka with a header that only just glaces wide.

02:32 PM

GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!! Watford 1-2 Arsenal

Another beautifully worked goal for Arsenal. Saka with a fine strike into the corner of the net after playing a cute one-two with Lacazette (the Frenchman backheeled the return).

Saka is such a good player to watch - he actually started the move by winning the ball off Dennis.

02:29 PM

27 mins: Watford 1-1 Arsenal

Watford are finding space on the counter attack, playing the game at a decent pace. They are asking questions of Arsenal at the moment.

02:27 PM

24 mins: Watford 1-1 Arsenal

Save from Ramsdale after Dennis cuts in onto his left and fires away a low shot that the Arsenal keeper cannot keep hold of before the ball is cleared.

Watford are looking a threat at the moment.

02:25 PM

23 mins: Watford 1-1 Arsenal

Free kick to Watford near the box on the righthand side. All thanks to an overzealous challenge from Gabriel.

Can the hosts make this count? They've not scored from outside the box this season...

The answer is a big fat no as Louza's attempt is easily gathered by Ramsdale.

02:21 PM

20 mins: Watford 1-1 Arsenal

Watford are giving as good as they get in terms of passing the ball about, they're not simply sitting back and letting Arsenal dominate the ball.

02:19 PM

18 mins: Watford 1-1 Arsenal

Partey goes close with a left-foot shot from the edge of the box. He feints to shoot to give himself the room to try and curl the ball into the far left corner of the net - it just goes wide. Arsenal fans will tell you that's one of his better attempts on goal - he's not known as someone who hits the target that often...

02:17 PM

15 mins: Watford 1-1 Arsenal

This has been a great game, played at a high tempo - lovely to watch.

Dennis gets the ball in the Arsenal box before firing in a low shot-cum-cross that is well blocked. Both sides contributing to this entertaining fare.

02:16 PM

Sit back and enjoy this strike

02:15 PM

Here's Odegaard's opener

02:13 PM

11 mins: Watford 1-1 Arsenal

We've seen two quality goals already and we're only 11 minutes in. The ball was crossed from the right byline and Hernandez acrobatically met the ball to give Ramsdale no chance in the Arsenal goal.

02:12 PM

GOOOOOAAALLLLL!!! Watford 1-1 Arsenal

The hosts are level in no time at all through a great overhead kick from Hernandez!

02:08 PM

6 mins Watford 0-1 Arsenal

Just the start Watford didn't want. Keep it tight and goalless for the the first 45 minutes would have been the nub of what Hodgson would have told his players before kick off. That game plan is already in the bin.

02:07 PM

GOOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!! Watford 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal have been passing the ball so well already and this Odegaard strike underlines that point. He collects the ball in the inside left channel and plays a one-two with Saka before driving into the box and shooting low to the Foster's right. A fine, delightful goal.

02:04 PM

3 mins: Watford 0-0 Arsenal

Martinelli has the ball on the left and puts in a good ball that the Watford defence do well to clear. Already (after that near early blip) the visitors are looking good, passing the ball well and at pace.

02:03 PM

DISALLOWED GOAL!! Watford 0-0 Arsenal

Just 17 seconds after the kick off Dennis puts the ball in the back of the net after a fine pass from Pedro in the inside left channel BUT he's offside and Arsenal breathe a sigh of relief.

02:00 PM

1 min: Watford 0-0 Arsenal

After a minute's applause from fans and players alike to show solidarity with Ukraine the match is under way.

01:56 PM

The teams are out on the pitch

And we're moments away from kick off.

01:55 PM

Since Watford beat Man Utd at home last year

They've lost all seven of their matches at Vicarage Road since...not a great stat to have when trying to avoid relegation.

01:53 PM

Expect the visitors to score today

Why? I hear you ask, well this stat is why...

01:50 PM

Mikel Arteta speaks...

On Arsenal's good form ahead of the match...

"That doesn't matter - it's about today and performing and playing well and winning today."

On Emile Smith Rowe getting Covid...

"Its what happens we have to react to that and hope he can come back soon."

On being favourites to get the fourth spot...

"Every week we have to win - we have to play well first."

01:48 PM

Roy Hodgson speaks...

On how his Watford side will approach the match...

"We've got to hope we can find some form but it's not going to be an easy game. We've got to be at our best to get something out of the game."

01:45 PM

Key man in Arsenal's recent run of wins?

Martin Odegaard has been brilliant this year and is starting to show why he was so sought after as a teenager. Not just his poise on the ball and passing (he was the one Arsenal player looking to play those risky balls in the final third against Wolves, rather than take the easy option) but his leadership on the pitch. He's a delight to watch and this is a good read on Arsenal's new hero.

READ: Arsenal's new leader: Martin Odegaard is justifying his lofty expectations

Martin Odegaard is in fine form  - PA
Martin Odegaard is in fine form - PA

01:30 PM

Nine points from nine

For Arsenal in February, a run that has marginally made them favourites among the five teams (Man Utd, West Ham, Wolves and Tottenham being the others) chasing that lucrative fourth spot.

The 2-1 win at home to Wolves was born of self-belief and never-say-die attitude as much as it was from the usual slick passing and style you expect from the north Londoners. Add more of the later to the former and you have a potent mix heading towards the home straight of the season.

One thing to pick up from that Wolves match is that the passing needs to be sharper in the final third. There were a few underhit or overhit passes during that win and against what you expect to be a well-drilled and well set-up Watford today Arsenal will need to up their game to break down a Roy Hodgson side.

01:18 PM

The teams in black and white

WATFORD XI TO FACE ARSENAL: Foster, Kamara, Samir, Femenia, Cathcart, Cleverley, Louza, Sissoko, Pedro, Dennis, Hernandez - Substitutes: Bachmann, Etebo, Masina, Sema, Kabasele, Kalu, Sierralta, Kucka, Kayembe

ARSENAL XI TO FACE WATFORD: Ramsdale, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Soares, Xhaka, Partey, Martinell, Saka, Odegaard, Lacazette - Substitutes: Leno, Holding, Pepe, Tavares, Lokonga, Elneny, Nketiah, Swanson, Hutchinson

Watford make three change to the side that earned a point with that oh so drab draw at Manchester United. Kiko Feminia and Joao Pedro are back and Cucho Hernandez all come into the starting XI. As expected Ismaila Sarr misses out with that hamstring injury -Jeremy Ngakia and Joshua King are the other two to miss out.

There are no changes for Arsenal from the side that earned that exciting last-gasp 2-1 win against Wolves. Emile Smith Rowe is still recovering from Covid so again misses out.

Ismaila Sarr of Watford controls the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Watford at Old Trafford on February 26, 2022 in Manchester, England. - GETTY IMAGES
Ismaila Sarr of Watford controls the ball during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Watford at Old Trafford on February 26, 2022 in Manchester, England. - GETTY IMAGES

01:03 PM

Here be Arsenal

01:03 PM

Here's the Watford XI

In Twitter form...

12:55 PM

Roy Hodgson hoping to stop the rot against Arsenal

Roy Hodgson admitted Watford need to "break the cycle" of their current run of disappointing results ahead of the visit of Arsenal this afternoon.

Watford have picked up just five points from six games following Hodgson's appointment as Claudio Ranieri's successor in January, including three clean sheets.

However, that run has included just one victory, Watford's first since the memorable 4-1 win over Manchester United in November which proved to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's last match in charge, and the Hornets are three points from safety.

"It's results that really keep the mood high; they keep the spirits higher, they keep everyone with a smile on their face," Hodgson said.

"It's very hard to maintain that good feeling about yourself, about the club, about the players - and for the players to feel good about themselves when you're losing games all the time.

Roy Hodgson  - PA
Roy Hodgson - PA

"So we badly need to break the cycle that we've found ourselves in where we need points. And what we need basically is what the one or two teams around us have found.

"A period where they played three games and took a lot more points than everyone thought they were going to take - it's lifted them a little bit higher up the table."

However, Watford will probably have to go into the game against Arsenal without Ismaila Sarr after he sustained a hamstring problem during his side's goalless draw at Old Trafford last Saturday.

"He played so well at Manchester United. He was really good," said the manager.

"His work rate was excellent, he did a really, really good job for the team. And of course he was a threat in the latter stages of the game when we were breaking out a little bit. He looked like he might be the one to get in behind them.

"We were looking forward so much to get him back (from the Africa Cup of Nations) and we've not had the benefit we would have liked from that.

"These things happen in football. It's a pity for us, a pity for him and a pity for our fans. I'd like to think that we can recover him as quickly as possible."

He added: "I'm not worried for the long-term future, but he's definitely out for Sunday, and it's going to take a lot to turn around for Thursday and Sunday next week."