Arsenal close gap on Leicester as Iwobi shines in win over Watford

Arsenal strolled past Watford 4-0 to close the gap on Leicester at the top of the table to eight points.

Watford came to the Emirates looking for their first league win in five attempts, and Arsenal were attempting to cut Leicester’s 11-point lead over the third-placed side.

Alexis Sanchez got his first league goal since October in the fourth minute, and Arsenal dominated possession throughout. Alex Iwobi got the second after a quick passing move.

In the second half, Hector Bellerin quickly added a third with a deflected shot, and Theo Walcott got the fourth just before full-time.

Before the match, Arsene Wenger had said his side needed eight wins to have a chance of finally taking the league title again. They impressed today when the pressure was off, they now need to keep it up for the next seven games to prove they can do it when it really matters.

It is no surprise how good Arsenal are when the pressure is off. They started the match out of Europe, out of the FA Cup and with an 11-point gap to make up on Leicester City. It was a sunny day, giving the hints of the end of the season. So, of course, Arsenal impressed with neat passing and incisive attacking. It’s just a shame they couldn’t do it when they were still in with a chance with actually winning something.

Alex Iwobi (Arsenal): With around a quarter of an hour left, Alex Iwobi was withdrawn in place of Theo Walcott. Iwobi had scored one, and come close to scoring two more, with his attacking play from the wings. That’s precisely what Walcott should be doing, but he has blunted his talents as he and Arsene Wenger dither over his preferred position. Iwobi should have Walcott worried about his Arsenal future.

Arsenal: Ospina 6, Bellerin 8, Koscielny 5, Gabriel 6, Monreal 6, Coquelin 6, Elneny 6, Iwobi 8, Ozil 7, Alexis 7, Welbeck 6. Subs: Campbell 6, Walcott 6, Giroud 6.

Watford: Gomes 6, Nyom 5, Prodl 6, Cathcart 6, Ake 5, Capoue 4, Watson 5, Suarez 5, Abdi 5, Deeney 6, Ighalo 5. Subs: Guedioura 6, Anya 5, Amrabat 6.

4’ - GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Watford. Ozil scores - Iwobi dinks in a pass to Sanchez in the box. He heads in towards goal, but Gomes dives to his right to save. Sanchez forces the rebound past the 'keeper to put Arsenal ahead.

15’ - GOMES SAVE - Iwobi cuts on to his right foot on the left side of the box, and Gomes has to tip a curling shot away from the top corner.

38’ - GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Watford. Iwobi scores - Coquelin picks out Sanchez with a well-timed pass down the right, he takes a couple of touches inside the box and slides the ball across for Iwobi to clip past Gomes.

48’ - GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Watford. Bellerin scores - Sanchez digs out a cross, Nyom heads it away, but back into the middle of the pitch. Bellerin is there to follow up with a volley that comes off Watson and diverts past Gomes.

50’ - IWOBI SHOT - Iwobi runs into the box to pick up a pass from Sanchez. He comes on to his left, beats Gomes with a rising shot, but it comes back off the bar.

90’ - GOAL! Arsenal 4-0 Watford. Walcott scores - Ozil launches a ball over the top for Campbell to chase. He stands up Nyom, beats him on the outside and plays it back for Walcott to tap in at the near post.

Alexis Sanchez scored his first Premier League goal since scoring in Arsenal’s win in October over Manchester United.