Despite dominating play and creating more chances, they were unable to break down Watford’s stubborn defence until late in the game. Their late comeback fell short and the clhances of a season without a trophy increased significantly.
The first half saw a one sided display with plenty of possession, good passing, but failure to create clearcut chances and failure to make the final pass in the box.
Elneny had two good chances, but blazed both over the goal. Watford had a couple of chances as well, but Deeney and Ighalo were unable to connect with each other, but these served as warnings of what was to come.
The second half continued with Arsenal looking dominant, until the Watford forwards finally managed to combine.
Deeney found Ighalo, who was able to turn and shoot and suddenly it was a different match.
Not long after Watford doubled their lead. Deeney was able to hold off Mertesacker and played the ball back outside the box to Guedioura, who unleashed a howitzer that zoomed into the top corner.
Arsenal managed to create a few good chances, but they couldn’t make them count. Giroud and Gibbs both missed headers, Chambers narrowly missed, until an audacious backheel from Ozil found Welbeck surging into the area and his shot beat Pantilimon.
Iwobi would then hit the upright, the rebound would come to Welbeck, but with the goal at his mercy he knocked it high and wide. Watford were able to hang on and end the Arsenal FA Cup streak.
Arsenal now have to travel to Barcelona and erase a two goal deficit against arguably the best team in the world.
Player Ratings:
Ospina 6: He had few shots to face, but really couldn’t stop either of the goals.
Chambers 6: Looked good going forward, but could have crossed the ball better on a couple of occasions when he had time to make a good delivery. He had a shot late that might have scored had it not been deflected.
Mertesacker 6: Should have challenged Deeney in the air more on the opening goal and perhaps should have come out and challenged the shot a little more on the second goal.
Gabriel 4: Lucky not to be red carded with a two footed challenge on Deeney in the first half. He plays with an edge that borders on the reckless. In the second half he was rolled by Ighalo too easily on the opening goal. It would be a fatal mistake.
Gibbs 6: A solid game, but he will be thinking about that header that he tamely hit at Pantilimon. He should have done better.
Coquelin 7: A good performance with lots of good passing.
Elneny 7: He had an excellent first half where he had lots of the ball and was running the show. Unfortunately, he had two chances he should have put on goal.
Ozil 7: A good game with a fabulous assist on the goal. Played well on both ends of the pitch.
Campbell 6: A good first half, but his game lacked an end product. He faded in the second half.
Giroud 6: Scored early, but the goal was ruled offside (it was close). He did not receive particularly good service throughout, but when he had a good chance to head home early in the second half, he failed to deliver.
Sanchez 6: He had a good first half, but Watford managed to keep him under wraps throughout. Faded a little until he switched sides and looked dangerous on the right. Not his best game, but not his worst either.
Substitutes:
Iwobi 6: He will be dreaming of that shot that hit the upright.
Walcott 5: Not able to make much of an impact.
Welbeck 7: Scored the first goal and should have scored the equalizer. He gave the team a lift.