Arsenal are certainly playing catch up in the title race but a thumping 4-0 win over Watford keeps their very faint hopes alive as the season enters its final months.
Alexis Sanchez set the ball rolling with the opening goal after just four minutes before man of the match Alex Iwobi doubled the Gunners' advantage before half-time. Second-half goals from Hector Bellerin and substitute Theo Walcott completed the rout.
It was a superb result but does make you wonder why we couldn't be that clinical when we were knocked out of the FA Cup by the Hornets last month. As for the title race, although we are in decent form at the moment I think it is too little too late. We have a game in hand over leaders Leicester and second-placed Tottenham. If we win that, we'd only be a point behind Spurs, but it would still leave us eight points behind Leicester and time is rapidly running out. We can't give up until it is mathematically impossible but we would need to win all our games and hope the Foxes suffer a huge decline in form, which I really can't see happening.
A four-goal victory over Watford is very impressive but we just haven't done that often enough. We will certainly need to be in that kind of scoring form if we are to win our next game as a trip to West Ham is a very tricky proposition. We'd also need to try and hit the ground running with an early goal, just as we did against Watford.
Iwobi picked up the ball just outside the box before curling in a cross for Sanchez to head towards goal. Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes did excellently to parry the Chilean's header but Sanchez pounced on the loose ball to score the rebound.
The home crowd were soon cheering again after seven minutes, but this time in tribute to former player and Gunners legend David Rocastle, who died just over 15 years ago.
The lively Iwobi continued to be in the thick of the action and only a fine save from Gomes, who tipped the Nigerian's curling effort over the bar, denied Arsenal a second. Some of Arsenal's passing was a joy to watch and, after a great move, a crucial deflection, forced Danny Welbeck's shot wide.
Arsenal continued to pour forward with Francis Coquelin seeing his shot blocked by the defence, while Sanchez's free-kick was well palmed away by Gomes.
At the other end, David Ospina had to react quickly to deny the onrushing Odion Ighalo what could've been a decent shot at goal.
The Gunners made their dominance count as they doubled their advantage seven minutes before the break. Sanchez latched onto a fine pass from Coquelin before racing into the box and cutting the ball back for Iwobi to fire home.
Bellerin netted his first goal of the season as Arsenal added a third within just three minutes of the restart. The defender exchanged passes with Sanchez before the latter's cross into the box was cleared, but Bellerin was on hand to beat Gomes with a volley via a deflection.
Arsenal continued to control the game and Iwobi came very close to scoring his second of the afternoon, but his curling effort hit the crossbar.
Watford tried to muster a response but Nathan Ake sent a shot wide before Troy Deeney's strike was palmed away by Ospina. The Colombian shot-stopper then re-gathered the loose ball to prevent it going out for a corner.
Arsenal added their fourth and final goal in the final minute of normal time. Joel Campbell latched onto a lovely long ball from Mesut Ozil before beating his man and racing into the box to set up his fellow substitute Walcott to score from close range.
It was a great performance by Arsenal and I just wish we could be this clinical every week!
OPPOSITION VIEW
Watford fan Erik Grigg was disappointed by his side's result and also dismissed Arsenal's title chances.
"We were deliberately rubbish just to show Arsenal what a poor team they blew their only silverware chances against," joked Grigg.
"Seriously, we need to strengthen the squad," he continued. "We only have one method of scoring goals, race down the wings, pass to Deeney who flicks it on to Ighalo. All the top teams have sussed it out.
"That said, Arsenal are the only team to hammer us home and away in the league. Just goes to show if they do blow the title (as they seem likely to) it will be a massive missed opportunity considering how poor the other 'big' teams have been."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
With Arsenal away at West Ham and Spurs facing a tricky match against Manchester United next time out, Leicester may be feeling more and more confident about their title credentials.
There are no easy games in this league and Sunderland getting a result against Leicester can't be completely ruled out, but the Foxes certainly do look the part and will completely deserve what looks likely to be title success.
We can't think too much about what is going on elsewhere and must focus on getting our own job done. West Ham away isn't a game that fills me with a lot of confidence but if we play like we do against Watford then it could yet be another good day.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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