Watford
Heurelho Gomes – 5
The Brazilian could not stop the Gunners from scoring four goals in the end. He tried enough and made some great saves throughout the game, but it was not enough. He could only limit the damage. He was to be blamed for the first goal and he made a double save, but the ball was in the net. He could do nothing on the third goal but could have done better on the rest two.
Allan Nyom – 3
Nyom was poor throughout the game. He did try to make tackles and stop the attack, but it was to no avail. Effort was there, but the results were not. So it was a poor performance. He did get forward but could not get past Monreal.
And he allowed space to Campbell to cross for Walcott’s goal, and also to Iwobi throughout the first half. He was also to be blamed for Bellerin’s goal as his poor clearance went straight to the Arsenal man.
Sebastian Prodl – 5
The Austrian had a nervy first half, and could not clear the ball when required. He could not make a comeback in the second half, allowing more opportunities to the Gunners. He was slow to read the attacks of his opposition.
Craig Cathcart – 7
The defender had a good game at the back, not giving away anything. He made some crucial interceptions and maintained balance in defence. He helped in limiting the damage for the visitors.
Nathan Ake – 4
The Chelsea loanee had a decent outing on a day where he left too much space behind him when going forward, and the Arsenal players made the most of it. He was never visible in attack, failing to help his forward players. He was exposed by Sanchez and Bellerin and had a tough time.
Mario Suarez – 7
The former Atletico Madrid player was one of the best players on the pitch for Watford but his performance was probably overshadowed by the loss. He kept the ball away from Ozil on some occasions and did a good job of limiting the German. But his efforts went in vain.
Etienne Capoue – 3
The former Tottenham Hotspur man was poor during the game, unable to make challenges and get the ball away from his opponents. He could not shield the back four as he played out of position on the left flank. He had to be taken off after just 41 minutes for the poor show.
Almen Abdi – 4
The midfielder had a poor game in midfield. He tracked back in phases when the Hornets lost the ball and could not help in regaining possession. He was ineffective in attack as well and did not contribute in any way.
Ben Watson – 5
He had to be at his best if Watford were to get anything from the game. But he was missing from the game. He did offer some creativity to the Hornets but the lack of possession did not work in his favor. He provided some good crosses from set-plays which were not capitalized but his teammates.
Troy Deeney – 6
Deeney was the man of the match the last time Arsenal were beaten by Watford in the FA Cup. But he could not repeat the performance as the visitors did not have the possession. But the forward played well and was committed throughout the game. He was physical in his approach and did well to create some decent chances in the second half.
Odion Ighalo – 4
He was not even the shadow of the player he can be when at his best. He played only the first half for Watford and he struggled to make any chances. He could not get in behind the Arsenal defence. He was taken off at half-time and replaced by Amrabat.
Substitutes
Ikechi Anya – 6
He came on for Etienne Capoue in the 41st minute and did better than him. He did get forward on the left flank and put in a shift to deny Arsenal more goals.
Adlene Guedioura – 5
Guedioura came on for Abdi in the 69th minute and had some long range efforts at Ospina’s goal but did not trouble him very much.
Nordin Amrabat – 6
He came on at half-time to replace Odion Ighalo and did well given the possession stats of the visitors. He created some chances for his side, but those were not enough to even get a goal.
