Watford 2 - 3 Arsenal: 5 talking points as Gunners secure key victory in top 4 race | Premier League 2021-22

#3 Arsenal charge towards top four

Gabriel scored after the break

Riding on a four-game winning streak, Arsenal find themselves in a comfortable position to finish fourth in the Premier League. Their opponents such as Wolves, West Ham United and Manchester United have also done the Gunners a huge favor in recent weeks, dropping more points than anticipated.

Although the Londoners are due to face Leicester City, in-form Liverpool, and a revitalized Aston Villa next week, they have three games in hand over the Red Devils, who are fifth at the moment.

With Manchester United losing against Manchester City, it only solidifies the Gunners' chances of qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League.

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#2 Arsenal's poor defending almost costs them

Watford enjoyed more shots on target than Arsenal

The game against Watford was a much closer and tighter one than the Arsenal faithful would have expected.

When Dennis put the ball into the net as early as 17 seconds into the game albeit it being offside, there were already early signs that the Arsenal defenders might not be at the top of their game. Gabriel gave away a free-kick in a dangerous position in the first half and Ben White's sloppy defending allowed Moussa Sissoko to score the Hornets' second goal.

When the full-time whistle was blown, Arteta looked extremely relieved that his side didn't concede more because to Watford's credit, they never stopped trying despite the scoreline. In 90 minutes, the Hornets produced 13 shots and seven of them were on target, while the Gunners only had four shots on target. Certainly, more work needs to be done as Aaron Ramsdale has failed to keep a clean sheet in the last three games.

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#1 Alexandre Lacazette continues to play an important role

Lacazette is approaching the end of his contract at Arsenal

Lacazette might have suffered a goal drought in the past few months but there is no doubt that he is still playing a vital role in the team.

Since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure from the club, the French forward has started the last 11 Premier League matches even though he last scored a goal in December 2021. Lacazette's scoring statistics look less than impressive. However, during the same period, the captain has provided seven assists and is proving to be a key link between his teammates.

The 30-year-old's contract with the Gunners expires this summer and the chances of him signing a new deal look increasingly bleak. Still, Lacazette's commitment to helping Arsenal is laudable and deserves recognition.