LONDON (AFP) - Arsenal moved into the Premier League top four, but made hard work of seeing off 10-man Watford 1-0 thanks to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's fortunate early opener on Monday (April 15).
Aubameyang profited from an error by Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster as he blasted an attempted clearance in off the Gabon international.
Watford captain Troy Deeney was then shown a straight red card after just 11 minutes, but the Gunners failed to make the most of their man advantage and were fortunate as the hosts twice hit the woodwork.
However, Unai Emery's men held out for a first clean sheet away from home in the Premier League this season to move ahead of Chelsea on goal difference into fourth.
Arsenal also edge to within a point of north London rivals Tottenham and two clear of Manchester United in the four-way battle for the two remaining Champions League places behind Liverpool and Manchester City.
FA Cup finalists Watford were already shorn of the man who helped book their place at Wembley against Manchester City next month as Gerard Deulofeu missed out through injury and Javi Gracia's side did themselves little favours early on.
Firstly, Foster dallied as Aubameyang closed in to concede a comical opener.
And within seconds, Deeney was punished for an elbow into the face of Lucas Torreira.
Arsenal now have just three days to prepare for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final away to Napoli and should have ensured an easier finish.
Aubameyang saw another effort deflected behind at the end of a sweeping counter-attack, while Foster also turned over a fierce Alex Iwobi shot.
However, the 10 men were still causing problems to a defensively vulnerable Arsenal at the other end.
Craig Cathcart's shot was turned onto the post by Bernd Leno and the German goalkeeper was also a full stretch to turn an Etienne Capoue free-kick behind.
Emery introduced Mesut Ozil at half-time in an attempt to improve Arsenal's final ball with so much space to counter-attack into, but to little avail.
Iwobi looked to have provided the perfect cross to pick out Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but Foster made amends for his earlier error by spreading himself to make a brilliant save from the Armenian.
Arsenal's terrible away record is why they face such a tight battle to secure Champions League football next season.
And they could have thrown just a second away league win since November away as Adam Masina crashed a 25-yard strike off the crossbar before Andre Gray miscontrolled Daryl Janmaat's pass when clean through on Leno.
Gray was then denied by a last-ditch challenge from Ainsley Maitland-Niles after rounding Leno, but without the firepower of Deulofeu and Deeney, Watford's brave effort fell just short.
Book now for a comfortable and affordable journey from Derby to London. With services running throughout the day and fares starting from £7.70 one-way* on National Express coaches you can be sure to find the perfect journey to discover London, its history, culture and nightlife.
Goals - Decisions in London, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester
Mourinho's huge pay-off fails to dent Manchester United's record quarter Mourinho was sacked shortly after United lost 3-1 to Liverpool, the fifth league defeat of the season and a result
Mourinho's huge pay-off fails to dent Manchester United's
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri said he must "respect Eden Hazard's decision" if the forward wants to leave Stamford Bridge this summer. Reports on Monday suggested Real Madrid are eager to secure
Eden Hazard can leave Chelsea if he wants, says manager
Liverpool's Salah, Firmino ruled out of Barcelona game - CNA
Footballer Emiliano Sala's family grieved on Friday after British authorities formally identified his body as the one recovered from the submerged wreckage of a plane that went down in the Channel
Family mourn Emiliano Sala after body in Channel wreckage
Step Up or Ship Out. Adam and Danielle struggle to keep up with the demands of the quintuplets while also making time for 4-year-old daughter, Blayke. Later, a
Solskjaer names the Man United duo who must 'step up' - Old
oldtraffordfaithful.com/solskjaer-names-the-man-united-duo-who-must-step-up/
The attacking area has been absolutely decimated with problems, although there are still two senior figures left standing. Solskjaer has now called upon these guys to 'step up' and prove that they deserve to wear the Red jersey. "The two of them are good mates and they link up well together." Solskjaer is quoted as saying by ManUtd.com.
Shape up or ship out - Idioms by The Free Dictionary
LIVERPOOL (REUTERS) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has urged his players to give "every fibre of their bodies" in the battle for the Premier League title.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Football: Liverpool's players must fight for the Premier
Roman Abramovich has today announced he is to separate from his third wife after 10 years of marriage - in a move which could potentially spark the world's most expensive divorce. The Russian
An author reported a black Metro worker for eating on a train
Euro 2020 qualifier: Republic of Ireland edging towards
NEW DELHI: Delhi Dynamos will look to start their campaign on a winning note when they lock horns with FC Pune City in their Indian Super League season opener Wednesday. The Dynamos would look to
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has been appointed manager of League Two side Oldham Athletic on a one-and-a-half year contract. Scholes said: "I just feel ready, really. I've had
Paul Scholes: Manchester United great appointed manager of
Di Maria and Mbappe among the goals as PSG win big again - Vanguard With Neymar and Edinson Cavani still absent, Layvin Kurzawa also scored for PSG at the Parc
Di Maria and Mbappe among the goals as PSG win big again
0 comments:
Post a Comment