Watford 0-3 Arsenal: Red hot Alexis sparks second-half stroll

Posted Sunday, October 18, 2015 by Goal.com

The Chilean had been doubtful coming into the match but dominated at Vicarage Road as the Gunners eventually secured an easy win following a competitive first-half

Arsenal moved back into second place in the Premier League as goals from Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey secured a 3-0 win at Watford.

Arsene Wenger's side turned on the style late in the game at Vicarage Road, with three unanswered goals in a 12-minute burst keeping them within two points of leaders Manchester City.

After a drab first half lacking any clear-cut chances, Arsenal broke the deadlock after 62 minutes as Sanchez shrugged of pre-match fears over his fitness to pounce on a loose ball in the penalty area and slot home.

Substitute Giroud added the second from Mesut Ozil's cutback, before Ramsey secured the points after a mazy run from Hector Bellerin.

Watford's previously tight defence had no answer to Arsenal's blitz and found themselves hanging on as the visitors looked to stretch their advantage in the closing minutes, Giroud seeing a bullet header well saved.

Further goals failed to materialise but Arsenal had done enough to seal the three points, while Watford were left to rue a second defeat in their last three outings.

Having demolished Manchester United with a first-half flurry before the international break, Arsenal again started fast, though Theo Walcott was denied by Heurelho Gomes – part of an unchanged Watford line-up – with a close-range header after five minutes, before the Brazilian goalkeeper was on hand again to punch away an effort from Sanchez.

Arsenal's attempts at controlling possession had limited Watford's openings but Troy Deeney powered through and tested Petr Cech with a powerful drive after 11 minutes, before he was denied by a crucial Laurent Koscielny challenge soon after.

Having weathered the storm, Arsenal began to press again and should have gone ahead just before the half-hour as Ramsey met Sanchez's left-wing cross at the back post, but the Wales international volleyed over from five yards under pressure from Gomes.

Arsenal gradually built momentum after the interval and finally had a deserved breakthrough just after the hour as intricate build-up play released Ozil into the area and, despite the German being felled by Nathan Ake, referee Mike Jones waved play-on and Sanchez converted via Gomes' right-hand post.