Obviously I would love it more if Arsenal were to win the Premier League or Champions League but I still value the FA Cup highly so I was absolutely gutted when we were knocked out following a 2-1 defeat by Watford.
Before the game I knew it had the potential to be a very tricky quarter final tie. It was clear that Watford should not be taken lightly but I did feel home advantage would give us the edge.
Although our chances in other competitions were fading I genuinely felt that we had a great chance of winning a third FA Cup in a row. Instead, we struggled to cause Costel Pantilimon too many problems in the Watford goal.
Watford fully deserved the victory and Adlene Guedioura's second-half winner was nothing short of sensational. Arsenal, on the other hand, were below par for large spells of the game. We really should have taken it to a replay but Danny Welbeck missed a sitter in the closing moments of the match to sum up what was a frustrating afternoon.
Arsenal started brightly and looked on course for a possible special afternoon when Olivier Giroud put the ball in the net inside the opening 10 minutes, but the Frenchman's effort was ruled out for offside.
Arsenal were arguably lucky not to have been reduced to 10 men following Gabriel's two-footed tackle on Troy Deeney. At first glance it appeared a hard but fair challenge but, unlike the referee, we were able to see a replay and on second viewing the tackle did look worse. Gabriel was let off the hook and we continued to control the first half, but without really testing the goalkeeper too much.
The lively Calum Chambers created a great chance for Arsenal to take the lead when his pass set up Mohamed Elneny in the box, but the Egyptian's effort blazed his strike over the bar. Elneny was guilty of wasting another chance shortly before half-time after sending his first-time strike over the bar.
Arsenal ended the first half on top with Joel Campbell volleying just off target but, at this point, I wasn't too disheartened to see us go in to break with the scores goalless.
The hosts began the second half with a similar attacking intent and within a minute of the restart Giroud headed narrowly over from Mesut Ozil's cross.
Despite all Arsenal's possession it was becoming the same old story of not being able to convert chances into goals well enough. Watford took advantage of this and took the lead after 50 minutes through Odion Ighalo. Nathan Ake's throw in was flicked on by Deeney to Ighalo before the striker turned Gabriel and fired a shot into the bottom corner. Ighalo nearly scored again soon after but sent his next effort over the bar.
Arsenal tried to find a response but Elneny's effort was well saved by Pantilimon, who also denied Giroud. That proved costly for the Gunners as Watford scored their second through Guedioura after 64 minutes. It was a goal worthy of winning any game and there is not too much Arsenal could've done to prevent the Algerian midfielder's fine strike from going in. Deeney held the ball up before setting up Guedioura, who smashed in a sublime first-time shot from the edge of the area, giving Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina no chance.
Not only were Arsenal 2-0 down but they were also failing to create many chances, meaning I couldn't really see a way back for us. With time running out Kieran Gibbs tried his luck but his header was comfortably saved by Pantilimon, while Chambers curled his effort wide.
Arsenal were finally beginning to wake up and the hosts gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Danny Welbeck reduced the deficit to 2-1 two minutes from time. Substitute Welbeck exchanged passes with Ozil before sending a shot beyond Pantilimon and into the far corner of the net.
It was now looking like Arsenal could snatch an unlucky draw and they were handed a glorious chance to do just that before the end. Substitute Alex Iwobi saw his shot hit a post and the ball fell straight to Welbeck but, with the goal gaping, the England forward somehow managed to slice over from close range.
If the game had gone on for another 10 minutes we may have been able to turn the game around as we were just starting to build very good momentum, but it wasn't to be and Watford held on for a more than deserved victory.
It was disappointing that, after having won two FA Cups on the bounce, that our impressive run was ended by a disappointing performance and result on home soil but credit must be given to Watford. The Hornets really did do a job on us!
OPPOSITION VIEW
Watford fan Erik Grigg believes his side deserve credit for what was a great victory at the Emirates.
"I remember the eighties when Watford used to beat Arsenal, but that is ancient history now," said Grigg. "In recent years they have always done us.
"This season the only team that really made us look outclassed were Arsenal (when we lost to Swansea and Southampton we had poor days at the office, against Arsenal in October we played well and were hammered).
"What an impressive display against an Arsenal side desperate for a result and fielding their strongest team. Everyone will be talking about Arsenal but what about Watford? Deeney for England anyone?"
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Although the defeat still hurts and it was such a poor way to go out, Watford really do deserve credit. We can't avoid the criticism for our display and there are no excuses but it wasn't all about us being poor. Watford did well and thoroughly deserved the win.
But where does this leave our season? Our best chance of silverware has now gone. Unless we can perform a miracle in Spain to overturn a two-goal deficit then Champions League elimination is likely to come in a under a week.
As for the Premier League, although I feel we are capable of bouncing back and going on a positive run, I can't see Leicester and Tottenham dropping too many points. But, while it is very unlikely we will catch Leicester, we must keep believing until it is mathematically impossible. No matter how the rest of the season pans out we need to make sure we go out there in every single game from now until the end that, rather than fold, we try and prove we are a big force.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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