Whilst it can be argued that this is the sort of game we would have squandered two points earlier in the season it was still a little worrying in the way that we struggled, at times, against a far inferior team.
We did, of course, create our usual quota of chances & Watford were thankful on a few occasions to Ben Foster.
Six points out of six so far over the Christmas period is a far better present to most Gooners than some ropey old M&S sweater!
Lehmann - 6 - One smart save & nothing he could do about the Watford equaliser, did flap a bit today though.
Hoyte - 6 - You could hardly say he contributed to a solid defensive performance did alright going forward.
Toure - 7 - Consistent as ever & worked hard. Put in some good tackles & a few bursts forward.
Djourou - 4 - Has the potential to be anything but had one of his shaky days & was lucky not to pay a heavy price when causally losing possession on the edge of his own box. Replaced at half time due to a “slight injury”. (Senderos 46)
Clichy - 6 - Still not setting the world on fire but getting more consistent.
Hleb - 6 - A quiet game today but very much a team player. (Walcott 71),
Fabregas - 7 - Ran the midfield with the help of Gilberto, some intelligent passing & tough tackling.
Gilberto - 9 - Pushing Cesc close for player of the season so far. A totally inspirational performance saw one superb last ditch tackle prevent a certain Watford goal & added yet another goal to his tally with our opener which he headed in from Toure's flick on.
Rosicky - 7 - A lively 79 minutes with one particular run & shot testing Foster in the Watford goal. (Julio Baptista 79)
Van Persie - 7 - Showed a little bit of magic with a great run to pick up Walcott's pass & a smart curling finish for our winner.
Adebayor - 8 - Coming into his own now he has won the confidence of the crowd. Doesn't just work hard but shows great skill & awareness.
Senderos - 6 - (46) We certainly looked a bit more solid in the second half with big Phil replacing Djourou.
Walcott - 6 - (71) A quiet 19 minutes but a glorious pass to find Van Persie to set up our winning goal.
Julio Baptista - 5 - (79) I don't think we are going to see the best out of this fella until springtime. Desperately needs a run in the team, perhaps we will see more of him for a longer spell in the two cup ties coming up against Liverpool.
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Flamini.
We did, of course, create our usual quota of chances & Watford were thankful on a few occasions to Ben Foster.
Six points out of six so far over the Christmas period is a far better present to most Gooners than some ropey old M&S sweater!
Lehmann - 6 - One smart save & nothing he could do about the Watford equaliser, did flap a bit today though.
Hoyte - 6 - You could hardly say he contributed to a solid defensive performance did alright going forward.
Toure - 7 - Consistent as ever & worked hard. Put in some good tackles & a few bursts forward.
Djourou - 4 - Has the potential to be anything but had one of his shaky days & was lucky not to pay a heavy price when causally losing possession on the edge of his own box. Replaced at half time due to a “slight injury”. (Senderos 46)
Clichy - 6 - Still not setting the world on fire but getting more consistent.
Hleb - 6 - A quiet game today but very much a team player. (Walcott 71),
Fabregas - 7 - Ran the midfield with the help of Gilberto, some intelligent passing & tough tackling.
Gilberto - 9 - Pushing Cesc close for player of the season so far. A totally inspirational performance saw one superb last ditch tackle prevent a certain Watford goal & added yet another goal to his tally with our opener which he headed in from Toure's flick on.
Rosicky - 7 - A lively 79 minutes with one particular run & shot testing Foster in the Watford goal. (Julio Baptista 79)
Van Persie - 7 - Showed a little bit of magic with a great run to pick up Walcott's pass & a smart curling finish for our winner.
Adebayor - 8 - Coming into his own now he has won the confidence of the crowd. Doesn't just work hard but shows great skill & awareness.
Senderos - 6 - (46) We certainly looked a bit more solid in the second half with big Phil replacing Djourou.
Walcott - 6 - (71) A quiet 19 minutes but a glorious pass to find Van Persie to set up our winning goal.
Julio Baptista - 5 - (79) I don't think we are going to see the best out of this fella until springtime. Desperately needs a run in the team, perhaps we will see more of him for a longer spell in the two cup ties coming up against Liverpool.
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Flamini.