“The Arsenal gain momentum the old way.”

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Arsenal (0) 1 v 0 (0) Watford

 56 Smith Rowe

Yellows: Lokonga, Tomiyasu, Gabriel                   King, Sissoko, Kucha (x2=Red)

                Aubameyang                                             Referee K Friend

Played Sunday 7 November 2021 at The Emirates Stadium, attendance 59,833.

This was a match when the youngest current Manager/Head Coach in the Premier League (PL) Mikel Arteta of Arsenal at 39 years and 7 months, faced the oldest, Claudio Ranieri of Watford at 70 years. It was also the Gunners’ Manager’s 100th match in charge. He was rewarded with an old-style Arsenal single goal victory, even though his Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a penalty. When the goal came it was one of the home team’s young stars Emile Smith Rowe who scored. There was controversy, however, in the build up play when Watford put the ball out to help an injured player, but were not given it back as sportingly is usually done. From nil points after the 3 opening games of this PL season Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have now collected 20 points from their next 8 PL matches, that is an impressive 2.5 points per game pushing them deservedly up to 5th.

Rising too are West Ham United for whom Manager David Moyes celebrated his 1001st match in charge in his whole managerial career with a famous 3-2 win over Liverpool which gave the Hammers 3rd spot just 3 points behind PL leaders Chelsea. Another win for Crystal Palace brings them up to 10th, one place and one point behind Tottenham Hotspur, while a home defeat for Brentford (1-2 v Norwich City) drops them to 12th.

There are no PL matches this weekend it being another Internationals break. This comes with mixed blessings for Clubs and their Managers with the risks of fatigue, injury, personal disappointment and confidence loss for players away on duty. For new managers trying to assess and build a team having 14 players away who would figure in your first team squad as Antonio Conte at Spurs has brings its own problems. A FIFA football World Cup every 2 years anyone? The PL have expressed their negative opinion already.

Until next time, “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at Premier London Derbies.