5 points to note from Arsenal 2-0 win over Watford

Arsenal and Watford played an intriguing game, which Arsenal triumphed in ultimately. However, both sides will have different perspectives on this. For Arsenal, it was a matter of winning ugly. For Watford, it was a case of points dropped, when maybe a draw could have been a fairer result.

In the end, Arsenal’s better-attacking qualities secured the win.

The introduction of Alex Iwobi was also a key factor and provided the width and directness lacking the first half.

Watford were in the top four before the game started, and it was pretty telling they warranted their place there. They were sharp at the beginning and had some good opportunities in both halves. Arsenal merely had better players, and this told. Overall, it could be said Arsenal were fortunate to win, and this mirrored the Everton game to a large extent. Ozil's finish for the second was well-done, and Lacazette did well to force the Watford defender to make an error for the own goal.

Isaac Success missed a very good opportunity in the first half. Whilst Deeney brought a great save from Bernd Leno. Leno himself replaced Petr Cech, who whilst playing well suffered an injury to his leg and had to come off.

So despite the win, there are some specific talking points here:

• Can Arsenal cease the forty-five-minute football evident? The contrasts between the first and second halves were stark.
• Is Alex Iwobi improving and enhancing this season?
• Is Emery's more direct style bringing results?

The win against Watford was hard work, but Arsenal now stands 5th, and only behind their good "friends" Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference. The defeats to City and Chelsea were mitigated by their overall quality, but then things since then have steadily improved. Yes, defensive errors remain, but the recent points haul has been pretty impressive.

It's not perfect though, but the recent win highlighted some telling points for gaming games and weeks.

#1 45-minute football

Isaac Success'sfirst half chance was a near miss.

Arsenal were again poor in the first half, and it was a mixture of Watford’s game plan, and Arsenal lacking fluency.

Ozil wasn’t on it, whilst Aubameyang was playing wide and not affecting the game in central attacking areas.

Lacazette missed a good chance, but the defence held well, despite Watford physicality and high pressing.

It was an ugly game without much stellar football, but in a way, it did show Emery had the capacity to change things when required.

I do feel the ultimate credit must be given to Watford and the manner in which they frustrated Arsenal. Though for whatever reason, there was a distinct lack of fluency. Moreover, Arsenal's midfield was not up to it, and often left empty spaces for Watford to exploit.

#2 Aubameyang wasted out wide

As a world-class forward, he is not being played in his prime/optimum position. Against Watford, he looked very isolated and not fully engaged in the game.

However, he has scored goals this season, but even still he looks lost. He provided a cross for Lacazette in the first half, and this shouldn’t be.

Imagine if Harry Kane provided crosses for Spurs or Aguero for City, would this do? No. They are prime forwards, and they need to be central and in the area as much as possible.

The issue is that there are numerous forwards which need accommodating, and this is a problem Emery needs to resolve, and quickly.

Yes, goals are being scored, and games being won. But we cannot waste Aubameyang’s talents, despite him scoring a few this season. He is clearly one of the elite forwards in world football, and Arsenal need to extract the best from him.

#3 Iwobi reaching his potential

Iwobi isn’t just playing differently, he looks different. He seems bulkier, and his pace has improved to boot.

Is it due to Emery enhancing him? Or has he knuckled down to see how he can enhance himself and improve? It could be either or both. Whatever has happened, Iwobi was the difference when introduced on the pitch, and he took his time to assist the first goal, and contribute to the second.

Whatever the cause of his upturn, he has been a different class this season. It’s about time he reached his potential, and this could be the time it’s done. He has big shoes to fill since his uncle is the legendary Augustine "Jay-Jay" Okocha. Well, he can go some way to doing this, based on his performances this season.

#4 Rob Holding solid at the back

Rob Holding was one of Wenger's last buys - well if analysed over the course of his long tenure. He signed in 2016, from Bolton Wanderers, and whilst little known at the time impressed greatly with a performance vs. Leicester City (who were then the reigning champions). He also won the FA Cup that season, with an impressive display vs. Chelsea.

He hadn't featured much in 17/18, in Wenger's last season of course, but then vs. Watford, he showed the qualities that made Wenger buy him.

With an ageing Koscielny and a somewhat erratic Mustafi, Holding has an opportunity to stake a case for regular playing time.

Credit must be given to Wenger for identifying him, but under the new Emery regime, he may receive additional guidance to become a top-class central defender.

#5 Emery won it

Some may contrast this with Wenger, but Emery’s substitutions told.

They were made at a crucial point in the game, and they ultimately made the difference.

It may be unfair to say Wenger never was on the touchline, giving orders. But Emery is a near constant presence, and this can provide the team with added encouragement.

It certainly lends to greater accountability, and being held to account for both mistakes and positive points.

It’s been said for years that the team lacked guidance, and now we have in some regard an anti-Wenger. This isn’t to knock Wenger at all – but this game was won as much on Emery’s decisions as it was anything else.

Emery and Arsenal move on to FC Qarabag and Azerbaijan next, and he will be looking for another win in a competition that he had won three years in a row in the past.