Match Report & Player Ratings ARS/WAT

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Both teams stepped out onto the Emirates on the final day in completely different scenarios in terms of what’s left to play for, as the Gunners were playing for the badge as well as to take some momentum into next weeks final whereas Watford were fighting to stay in the Premier League, while also trying to impress their new manager. Either way both squads would have felt they had massively underperformed this campaign.

Drama never seems to escape the Emirates this season, as the game started with a whole host of decisions for VAR to check, firstly whether they believed Craig Dawson’s foul on Alexandre Lacazette was worthy of a penalty then to see if Aubameyang was offside in the build up. After around three minutes the decision was made and Arsenal had the chance to take an early lead, with Aubameyang stepping up to the spot in his pursuit of the golden boot. As clinical as always, the 31-year old dispatched his spot kick with ease into the left hand side of the goal sending Foster the wrong way. Without getting into second gear, Arteta’s side found themselves 2-0 up as Pepe picked out Aubameyang allowing him to lay the ball back to the onrushing Kieran Tierney who side footed it past Foster via a deflection for his first goal for Arsenal. Shortly after, what seemed to be a routine throwing to defend for Watford saw them go further behind as Tierney launched it high into the air, dropping at Aubameyang’s feet, the star striker’s first touch was exemplary giving him the room to finish it off into the top corner with a stunning overhead kick. Hayden Mullins team did show signs of getting back into the game as Doucoure slid Danny Welbeck through leaving Luiz with a decision to make about whether to let him have a free shot, however the Brazilian chose to attempt to make a tackle which resulted in a penalty. Troy Deeney stepped up and powered it past Martinez to make it 3-1 going into halftime.

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The Hornets knew they had to get something from the game to secure their Premier League status next season and they were definitely not going down without one last push. The Gunners defence looked all over the place, as Deeney played Welbeck through on goal only for Martinez to show his worth once again in recent times. Then in the 66th minute, the pressure finally told as Sarr was allowed too much space down the right, giving him time to pick out an unmarked Welbeck in the middle who rolled the ball home to make it 3-2 against his former club. The away sides tails were up and with every attack they were ripping Arsenal apart, this time Sarr was released down the right and cut his pass back for Welbeck, with the Englishman improvising to backheel it towards goal, however Martinez flew across his goal to make a world class save to keep Arsenal in front. Mike Dean blew the final whistle, which meant Arsenal had finished 8th (their lowest since 1995) while confirming Watford had been relegated to the Championship.

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