The long awaited Walcott full debut was worth waiting for.
From memory, have seen Adams’ Merson’s, Gould’s, Addison’s and Robson’s Arsenal debuts – and this guy IS something special.
Just one ball, that’s all it took. Cut out the whole of the Watford defence in an instant.
I said to someone on the way home he’s like three players in one. A clever inside forward (a la Eastham), an incisive winger (a la Limpar) and a clincial centre forward -a position he took up at times.
Didn’t think the concept of “good leaver – bad leaver” would raise its head in this match. But it sure did. A panoply of over 100 players under Wenger (celebrating his 10 years) were booed and cheered respectively (many more cheers than boos) as their photos and names came up on the big screens. A sort of instant fan democracy.
The famous five defence were all cheered. Thierry Henry got the loudest. Ashley ‘Coal’ (now paid in wages of carbon) the biggest jeers, followed closely by Jose Reyes. Pat Vieira played the most games under Wenger, followed closely by Dennis Bergkamp and then Robert Pires.
The Watford contingent clapped Wenger as he took the home crowd accolades. And in football terms you have to respect Watford – for keeping to 4-4-2 and for their pluck. Ashley Young is one of the best young players I have seen in recent years. Apparently his teenage younger brother is even better, according to Watford fans.
Referee Howard Webb, unfortunately at times behaved like a guard with a whistle on a slow train to Watford Junction. Those in Club Class were maybe counting the cost of all the non-playing moments.
Aidy Bothroyd, was in a dark suit with yellow tie, like a conductor with a script in his technical area. A permanent hands on management style – in contrast to Arsene, when his discreet appearances mean something significant.
Watford stressed the aerial approach – like the Watford of old. However, they play the system well and created around nine chances, some quite clear cut.
Rosicky had the first chance with a run on six minutes. Three minutes later the Czech captain had another shot, set up via Walcott’s spped of thought and Henry. Adebayor had a rebound chance, but Ben Foster was up to it.
Then Walcott in an instant beat the whole Watford defence, setting Fabregas through one on one with Foster. The Spaniard was just wide.
Foster was lectured for time wasting on 14 minutes. There were numerous back passes to launch aerial assaults. And Watford created good chances from second ball. King knocked two over the bar – and should have done better. Smith knocked one wide from a cross clearing the Arsenal defence and Francis had a couple from dangerous crosses.
However, it was Arsenal playing Watford at their own game which brought the first goal a third through the match. Fabregas hung a free kick, Adebayor won it and Stewart intervened to stop Toure, but knocked it past Foster.
Soon after, Thierry Henry beat two players skillfully and bent one just the wrong side of the post.
Watford continued to look dangerous. Arsenal needed a second. And the Frenchman duly obliged near half-time, beating two players, one through brute upper body strength and fired left footed past Foster.
Walcott started the second half by cutting in and firing just over – to sounds of Theo, Theo. He went off for Hleb with two thirds of the match gone.
Gallas, who went far forward on several ocassions let a ball through his legs, when a shot would have been better.
On 68 on a breakaway, with Watford playing a dangerous high-line, Fabregas set Henry through, who drew Foster and set up an open goal for Adebayor or Hleb. The Togo forward grabbed his chance.
Rosicky and Fabregas combinbed with an incisive move. There was an Ashburton buzz in the air.
There was also time for a ‘Second debut’ – that of Gael Clichy – out for nearly a year following an injury with the French u-21 side. Clichy is a small Lotus Elan type of full back – and his presence reaffirms Wenger’s call for a changed international programme, and compensation for injured players. That sentiment maybe could reach the ears of the European Court of Justice judges.
Certainly it won’t fall on deaf ears regarding the new chairman of the G14. So maybe there’ll be some change.
Arsene Wenger said, true to his actions: “I didn’t want my anniversary to stop the focus on winning the game.”
“It was a great performance. They play their style well. We had a great performance in the air. We went for every ball in the air.”
Aidy Boothroyd said: “We thought we could catch Arsenal today [post internationals and pre champions League]. We wanted to spoil it. They were Very professional. They are so good we couldn’t stop them.”
Theo Walcott said in his unphased way said:” To start one (an Arsenal game) is dream come true. It is brilliant.”
Arsenal: Lehmann, Toure, Hoyte, Djourou, Gallas (Clichy 80), Fabregas, Gilberto, Walcott (Hleb 62), Rosicky (Van Persie 75), Adebayor, Henry. Subs not used
Almunia, Song
Watford :Foster, Doyley, Shittu, DeMerit, Mahon, Francis, Stewart, Smith (Henderson 45), King, Young, Bouazza (Powell 54). Subs not used:
Lee, MacKay, Spring