Despite taking the lead, the Gunners were unable to hold on to their lead and capitulated!
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud (Photo: AFP)
Watford mounted a historic comeback win over Arsenal on Saturday night, defeating the Gunners 2-1 for the first time in 30 years at Vicarage Road.
Per Mertesacker, on his first league start of the season, had headed the visitors in the lead after a dominating display in the first-half but the Hornets responded with a strong performance in the second-half.
Arsenal, bereft of Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey, had two big chances but as they were unable to put them away, the hosts finished the match the stronger of the sides.
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Mesut Ozil and Alex Iwobi were guilty of missing chances at a time when the Gunners were 1-0 up and had they scored, the game would have been done and dusted.
As it was, the duo were unable to find the back of the net and when in-form winger Richarlison went down after minimal contact from Hector Bellerin inside the box, Watford captain Troy Deeney made no mistake from the spot.
The striker, on as a second-half substitute for Andre Gray, sent Petr Cech the wrong way and with 19 minutes left on the clock, Watford were charged up and relentlessly pressed for the win.
And they got the result they deserved when Tom Cleverley was rewarded for continuing his run inside the box in the 92nd minute. The former Manchester United midfielder’s arrived at the right time to send his shot into the roof of the net to give Marco Silva’s side their biggest scalp of the season.
Under the Portuguese tactician, the Hornets have begun the season in fine fettle, barring a 6-0 humbling at Manchester City, and are flying high in fourth place with 15 points after their 2-1 win over Arsenal.
For Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, loss threatens to derail their title chances as the Gunners are in sixth place with 13 points, nine behind leaders Manchester City. They are yet to find their first away win of the season.
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