Watford upset Arsenal 2-1 in the FA Cup quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals.
Watford and Arsenal squared off in the FA Cup quarterfinals in a matchup between two Premier League teams who know each other extremely well. Arsenal entered the matchup as the significant favorites over the underdog Hornets. The first half featured both teams failing to finish chances but the second half was one of the most exciting halves ever played between the two rivals.
It was a truly disappointing performance from Arsenal. They played well but bad mistakes cost them in the second half. Arsenal was able to keep fighting until the very end thanks to a goal from Danny Welbeck, but had it not been for that goal, the score would have been 2-0, a deserving result for Arsenal.
Three Stars
- Adlene Guedioura answered a ton of critics’ questions after ending a goal less drought that had extended beyond this season’s 13 games. He capitalized on an Arsenal turnover to score on a beautiful strike from far away. His goal wound up being the deciding one as his goal gave Watford a 2-0 lead.
- Danny Welbeck from Arsenal played like the outstanding player that he is. He truly deserved a better fate than the one granted to him by Arsenal. Even factoring in a late miss on what was pretty much an empty net, whenever Arsenal generated offense, it seemed to be due to something that Welbeck did. His late goal cut Arsenal’s deficit to 2-1, but it just wasn’t enough.
- Odion Ighalo from the Hornets had an outstanding game as well. He scored the first goal of the game and it sure wasn’t an easy one. Ighalo had to fire between two defenders in order to score and he had to do it off a throw in and header. It was a magnificent goal that started the second half on the right foot for the Hornets.
Highlights
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Next Week
Watford advances to the FA Cup Semifinals. Meanwhile, Arsenal will have to take a hard look in the mirror after a frustrating loss.