Many fans were still trying to find their seats when Arsenal scored their first. Iwobi floated a lovely cross to Alexis, who forced a great save from Gomes but the ball was parried back to Alexis and he smashed home the opening goal.
The first half saw some of the Gunner’s best play of the season, but Welbeck, Iwobi, and Sanchez all couldn’t score the second.
Just before halftime Arsenal struck again. Sanchez beat the defender and crossed to a wide open Iwobi, who struck the ball perfectly into the net.
Arsenal scored again early in the second half, this time Bellerin was assisted by an awkward deflection that spun past the stranded Gomes, a player who recently mocked Arsenal as no longer a big team.
Arsenal had a period of sloppy play that allowed Watford a couple of chances, but they scored their fourth at the end of the game when Theo Walcott pounced on a Joel Campbell cross.
Now Arsenal need some help from other teams.
Player Ratings:
Ospina 7: Ospina had little to do for most of the day. His big moment was a diving save from Deeney.
Bellerin 7: A decent game from Hector and a kind deflection from his shot resulted in a goal. He made a couple of fine defensive plays as well, stopping Ighalo when he had turned Gabriel.
Gabriel 6: A solid game from Gabriel. Ighalo managed to beat him once, but Bellerin was there to mop up.
Koscielny 6: He too had a solid game. Was sloppy and caught in possession once that led to a Watford chance, but they couldn’t take advantage.
Monreal 7: Very effective game going forward, although he’ll want to forget the one time he overhit a cross on a fast break. He was shoved down once on the edge of the penalty area, but the referee didn’t care. He cleared the ball off the line on a corner, a key moment from the game.
Coquelin 7: A very good game where he dominated and swarmed whoever had the ball.
Elneny 7: Another good game for the Egyptian. He is becoming more comfortable and more indispensible.
Ozil 8: No assists today, but he dominated the middle. His array of flicks and tricks frustrated Hull, resulting in a yellow card for one of the frustrated.
Iwobi 8: Another great game from Alex. A lovely assist on the opening goal and he scored the second. He had a couple of other chances as well and he generally made himself a nuisance.
Welbeck 7: He had several chances, but they were deflected or blocked. His pace and movement bothered Watford.
Sanchez 8: An excellent game from Alexis, who looks back to his best. There were no poor passes, no losing possession; it just looks like the old Alexis is back. A great first goal and a fine assist on the second goal.
Substitutes:
Giroud 6: Headed straight at Gomes and almost got on the end of a cross.
Walcott 7: Scored off a fine cross from Campbell.
Campbell 7: Came on and created a couple of chances, resulting in an assist on Walcott’s goal.