Watford 2-1 Arsenal is a scoreline we're getting used to in recent years! Here's my take on a special special night at Vicarage Road.
The thing I love about football is the fact that for 90 minutes each week, nothing else matters. The collective roar of the crowd as they urge their team onto 3 points. Yesterday's second half had all the these things that made me fall in love with the sport when I attended my first game as an 8 year old.
1-0 down at the break against one of the best teams in the country and the current FA Cup holders, things were looking bleak for The Hornets at half time. The first half had been flat on and off the pitch, as Marco Silva's men adapted to a new formation and tried to keep themselves in the game as Arsenal pressed. Eventually Per Mertesacker headed home from a corner to give the visitors the lead. In fairness the visitors weren't at their best themselves but they did have the majority of the game and in the end a halftime scoreline of 1-0 was fair on The Gunners.
However the second half was a completely different story, a new found belief swept around Vicarage Road, it was like everyone from a Watford persuasion knew that the Golden Boys could take something from this game. Whatever Silva said at halftime certainly worked, the players looked right up for it as they took the game to Arsenal as they tried to bring themselves back into the contest. Silva changed things up shortly after the restart and brought on Troy Deeney and Andre Carrillo for Andre Gray and Aidy Mariappa, those substitutions ended up being the catalyst for The Hornets comeback.
The big teams are known for being clinical and punishing their opponents by finishing off games before a comeback can even be mounted. Arsenal failed to do that yesterday as Alex Iwobi saw his shot impressively saved by Gomes and then Mesut Ozil shot straight at the Brazilian when he was clean through on goal. In football when you don't take your chances you are usually punished and it was no different for the visitors last night. Just 60 seconds after Ozil missed that golden opportunity up one end, Watford had a penalty up the other as Bellerin "fouled" Richarlison. I used inverted commas around the word fouled as lets be honest it wasn't a foul, however it also wasn't a dive as there was contact, however that's a debate for another day! If the same thing happens up the other end Arsenal would expect a penalty no question about it.
Club captain Troy Deeney stepped up and converted from the spot to send the home fans into delight. The goal ramped up the noise inside Vicarage Road as all of a sudden people were sensing a famous comeback was in store for The Hornets. I go back to the roar of the crowd and that being part of my love for football, 18,500 or so Watford fans urged their team forward every time someone moved even an inch with the ball. Attack after attack followed and inside the last 10 minutes just a lick of paint denied Watford a winner, as Capoue's deflected strike struck the foot of the post.
I don't remember lots from such an emotionally charged game but I do remember saying "this would be a kick in the balls. This would be so cruel if they score" as Arsenal had a corner inside the last 5 minutes. I couldn't have even imagined the euphoria I would've felt 5 minutes later as The Hornets struck the winner leaving the travelling fans with the sickening feeling of defeat. Although lets face it they're getting used to that feeling when they play us now!
As The Hornets pushed forward one last time, Jose Holebas struck an effort towards the Arsenal net, it deflected towards Deeney who challenged Petr Cech who bravely got their first. The ball fell to Capoue who tired his luck but Mertesacker blocked, only for the ball to fall straight to Tom Cleverley who smashed the ball into the empty Rookery End net to send Vicarage Road into absolute raptures. As Cleverley struck it, time must have stood still because it felt like an age until the ball flew into the net.
Football is one of few things where you can suddenly be jumping on random people you have never met before and the only thing you have in common with them is the want for your team to succeed. Everyones emotions came spilling out as they celebrated the winner, as everyone jumped on each other, hugs galore amongst fans. Now in an age where the game is consumed by money, this is exactly what football is all about. You suffer through the hard times, for these amazing good times that you'll talk about when you grow old and look back on memories of supporting this incredible football club.
Us Watford fans have to had to go through some hard times, we nearly had our club go on the brink of administration in 2009 only for it to be saved. We had Elton John raising money for the club to sign a striker who coincidentally captains this spirited, determined and above all talented Watford side. From having to find three points from our last two games back in 2010 to survive in the championship, to being fourth in the Premier League after beating Arsenal, these are really special times at Vicarage Road. Days like yesterday need to be savoured but there is a feeling around this club at the moment that something special is being built and history is being made. There's a buzz and a excitement around the place again and being a Watford fan has never felt better, the best thing that has ever happened to me was being taken along to my first game of football against Preston North End some 12 years ago now. I love the sport and most importantly Watford Football Club continually create stories and memories that'll last a lifetime.
I bloody love football.
You 'Orns!
Watford 2-1 Arsenal
League position: 4th (Yes really!)
Man of the match: Cleverley (Deeney voted by the BT Sport guys)
Next fixture: Chelsea (A)
Ref rating- Neil Swarbrick- You're welcome back anytime. 10/10!
