The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsNow that the international break is over, the Premier League campaign can resume. Arsenal face a tough test on Saturday as they travel to Vicarage Road to play a newly promoted Watford side who have surprised many with a fantastic start to the season.
The Gunners with be feeling confident ahead of the game after beating Manchester United 3-0 in their last Premier League game. However Arsenal cannot underestimate this Watford side who currently sit 12th in the Premier League on ten points.
Arsenal are of course the favourites for this fixture, and if they play like they did against United, it should be a fairly comfortable win. Their key men have all been on fire, but one man Arsenal will have to look out for is Nigeria forward Odion Ighalo. The Watford forward has scored five Premier League goals so far, and is the top scorer in English football in 2015 with 21 goals. His pace and power could cause the Arsenal defence some problems and will most likely be Watford’s main attacking threat. The likes of Francis Coquelin and Gabriel Paulista will have to be at the top of their game to stop one of the most dangerous strikers in the Premier League at this moment in time.
On the other hand, it is fair to say Arsenal have players who are all performing to the best of their abilities. Alexis Sanchez who had a slow start to the season, has now scored nine goals in five games for club and country. The Chilean winger looks as though he has rediscovered his goal scoring form, however is a doubt for this game after the Chile national team manager admitted the player was not 100% fit when playing for Chile in both the Brazil game and the Peru game. Arsenal Wenger admitted he was powerless over whether Chile played the winger, but it is clear the Frenchman is far from impressed.
On a more positive note Cazorla, Ramsey, Walcott, Chamberlain, Giroud, Campbell and of course Alexis all scored for their countries on international break, which is a great confidence for the players and suggests Arsenal’s main men are starting to hit top form.
A key battle of the game will certainly be Capoue vs Ozil. The German playmaker has created 28 chances so far this season from open play, as well as four assists and one goal. It will be Etienne Capoue’s job to keep tabs on the Arsenal midfielder, if he is able to close Ozil down quickly he may be able to nullify the playmakers passing ability. Easier said than done.
Watford seem to be coping with life in the Premier League so far, but can they upset one of the biggest teams in the division? Or will this be a routine win for the Gunners?
Predicted starting line ups:
Watford:
Gomes, Nyom, Prodl, Cathcart, Ake, Anya, Capoue, Watson, Abdi, Deeney, Ighalo
Arsenal:
Cech, Bellerin, Gabriel, Mertesacker, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Walcott
