Gunners shoot down Hornets

The announcement of two signings, three goals and a 3-1 win at Watford, now that's better!

After defeat to Liverpool and a goalless draw at champions Leicester, fans were left wondering whether the season could already be slipping away even though the new campaign is only in its infancy.

It could still prove not to be our year, but at least this much improved result, and the looming double signing of defender Shkodran Mustafi and striker Lucas Perez, at least gives us Gunners fans some hope.

Mustafi and Koscielny could potentially be an exciting centre-back pairing, although I have been impressed with the start youngster Rob Holding has made to his Arsenal career so there could be a healthy competition for places, especially with captain Per Mertesacker still to come back. Although he is our captain, I'd be happier with him being more of an experienced head we can call on from the bench rather than a regular starter now. As for Perez, if I'm honest I don't know too much about him. It could be a stroke of genius or he could flop, nobody really knows, but I am excited to see what he has to offer.

If the new signings can integrate into the squad soon after they arrive, and star men Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil can build on their impressive displays against the Hornets, maybe there is reason to be optimistic at the Emirates. I still feel it is going to be a long old season but you never know!

If Arsenal are to have success this season then they will need to perform more like they did in the first half against Watford. The Gunners took just nine minutes to get on the scoresheet when they were awarded a penalty. Sanchez latched onto a fine lofted pass from Ozil before being clattered in the box by the arm of Nordin Amrabat. Santi Cazorla stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick and slotted it into the middle of the net.

Arsenal continued to pile on the pressure and almost extended their advantage through Theo Walcott, only for Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes to deny the England man from close range.

At the other end Petr Cech also had to be alert in the Arsenal goal as he produced a superb reaction save to keep out a deflection off Kosicelny's boot to preserve the visitor's lead. It was then back to the turn of Gomes, who did well to save shots from Sanchez and Ozil.

But the Gunners weren't to be denied soon after as two goals before half-time put the visitors in firm control of the contest. Sanchez latched onto Walcott's cross before flicking the ball beyond Gomes from close range after 40 minutes following a good team move involving the duo and Hector Bellerin.

Two soon became three on the stroke of half-time. Gomes denied Walcott a minute before Ozil headed in Sanchez's cross to put the result beyond doubt.

Arsenal tried to add to their tally in the early stages of the second half, but Walcott sent a shot across the face of goal.

Substitute Roberto Pereyra pulled a goal back for the hosts after 57 minutes. With the ball ricocheting around in the box Etienne Capoue saw his shot blocked and Pereyra was on hand to score from the rebound.

In the end the win was rather routine for Arsenal, but there could've been a much nervier end to the game had Cech not come to the rescue with a great double save. Cech beat away Jose Holebas' powerful strike from outside the box before reacting quickly to block the follow up from Odion Ighalo. Ighalo later sent an overhead kick over the bar as Watford again tried, but failed, to find a way back into the game.

Arsenal could've added further gloss to the scoreline before the end, but Sanchez's effort was comfortably saved by Gomes.

The Gunners' dominant first half proved decisive and it is almost a shame that it is now time for an international break now that we finally have kick-started our season with a decent performance.

OPPOSITION VIEW
Watford fan Paul Caygill admitted his side were beaten by the better team, but believes they improved as the game went on.

"First half we weren't at the races and just couldn't cope with Arsenal," said Caygill. We were much better second half and Pereyra looks a great signing.

"Arsenal had Ozil pulling the strings in midfield, Xhaka looks like a great signing for them and they were very confident.

"I think we will be okay this season. We were always going to find it hard with the start we had, but with the starting 11 now we will be okay."

MY FINAL THOUGHTS
At this stage of the season I had hoped to be on a higher points tally than we are despite the difficult start we were given, but at least we are finally up and running now. Four points from a possible nine is far from ideal, but it could've been worse.

It is a shame we don't get to build on the performance against Watford immediately, but we must make sure that after the international break is over we are fully ready for the visit of Southampton.

It will be interesting to see how the new signings get on, but I will reserve judgement on them until they have had at least a few games in an Arsenal shirt. I also hope this is the start of a great season for Sanchez as he is going to be key if we are to succeed this season.

Southampton is a team we took just one point off last season so we will certainly need to be at the top of our game if we are to make sure we gain revenge and claim our second successive win of the new campaign.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS