Deep Joy - Real Football Is Back!

Thank goodness after a week of international drudgery we are back to proper football at the weekend! For Arsenal that means the visit of newly promoted Watford, who have proved to be difficult opponents in the past.

In Watford’s only previous Premiership season (1999-2000) the Gunners achieved a double, winning by the only goal at Highbury before edging a five goal thriller at Vicarage Road. Things were not as comfortable in the old First Division during Watford’s first spell in the top flight of English football. From 1982 to 1988 the clubs met on twelve occasions, and Arsenal won just three of them, with one drawn.

Arsenal may be wishing this was an FA Cup tie. In five meetings the Gunners have won four of them, most recently at Vicarage Road in the 2001-2002 double season.

All logic points to an Arsenal victory this time around. The Premiership newcomers are without a win, having drawn four and lost three thus far. However, Arsenal seem to suffer more than most after international breaks, and are without the services of Emmanuel Eboue and Freddie Ljungberg, both injured while playing for their respective countries. Julio Baptista is also ruled out by a hamstring strain picked up in training.

That means a likely starting eleven of Lehmann; Hoyte, Toure, Djoourou, Gallas; Hleb, Gilberto, Fabregas, Rosicky; Van Persie, Henry. Not bad eh? Of course that ‘likely’ formation could be adjusted by Le Boss to include Walcott, after his midweek heroics, or Adebayor. Monsieur Wenger seems to have some idea about what he’s doing so I’ll trust him to pick a side to win the game.

For any gamblers out there I will do you a favour. Goonerholic’s weekly punt is going on a 3-0 win. With my record you should avoid that bet like the plague!