However, I did leave the game wondering what might have been had we been playing a more potent team than Watford, but all in all & considering this came on the back of international week, it was a most satisfying 3 points to keep our recent good run chugging along.
Lehmann - 8 - Excellent handling, command of his box & distribution of the ball was underpinned by two excellent saves.
Hoyte - 6 - Played in his more familiar right back position but not convincing, headed one Watford cross straight across his own goal in the first half which could have proved costly.
Djourou - 6 - Paired with Toure in central defence with Gallas switching to left back struggled at times with Watford's direct style of play.
Toure - 7 - The most solid & reliable of the back four, coped well & decisively with the high balls Watford threw at us.
Gallas - 6 - Struggled a bit but you can still see this guy has class, legend in the making for sure. (Clichy 81)
Fabregas - 8 - Unusually for Cesc there were quite a few misplaced passes from him in the first half, however he almost scored a great goal after rounding the keeper but fired into the side netting. After the break he ran the show & confirmed what a fantastic player he is & with the boss saying there is more to come I am licking my lips in anticipation.
Gilberto - 5 - By far his worst performance for Arsenal in a long time. Struggled with the pace of the game & was guilty of a string of misplaced passes.
However, before the anti Gilberto crowd start getting on his back everyone is allowed one from time to time!
Rosicky - 8 - Reminded me of Liam Brady! An excellent display, showing his wide repertoire of skills & on a better day he would have scored the goal his performance deserved. (Van Persie 74)
Walcott - 7 - Played on the left & his pace worried Watford for the 64 minutes he was on the pitch. Cut in nicely to curl a shot just wide of the top corner towards the end of the first half. Plays with a belief & a maturity beyond his 17 years. (Hleb 64)
Adebayor - 6 - Thank goodness he didn't miss the tap in presented to him by the skipper! Won most of his headers & the occasional bit of showboating but not that effective & lost the ball too often.
Henry - 8 - Back at full throttle & on another day could quite easily have had a hat trick. Showed all his speed & power when turning & shrugging off Jay Demerit before running on to coolly slot past the excellent Ben Foster for our second goal.
Set up Adebayor for a simple tap in for our third.
Subs
Hleb - 5 - Some good runs, moved the ball around well & worked hard for the short time he was on the pitch
Van Persie - 5 - A powerful drive high over the bar was the closest Robin came to scoring on this occasion.
Clichy - 5 - Great to see him back & put in a couple of crunching tackles to prove he hasn't lost his edge, will be invaluable when back to full fitness.
Subs not used:
Alumnia, Song