Guinness Made of Black Match of the Weekend: Watford vs. Arsenal
Where: Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire
When: 17:30 (GMT +1), Saturday, October 17
The international break came at the worst-possible moment for Arsenal. Fresh from their devastating 3-0 victory over Manchester United—complete with a devastating first-half attacking display—Arsene Wenger will have been desperate for his site to continue their momentum.
They return to action this weekend with an away trip to Watford in Saturday’s late kickoff.
On paper, a trip to one of the EPL’s newly promoted sides may not fill Gunners fans with dread, but Arsenal will be coming up against one of the division’s most in-form strikers.
Odion Ighalo shone last season, and his 20 goals were influential as the Hornets secured promotion to the top flight. By the end of September, the Nigeria international was outscoring both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo!
As well as making a fine first impression in the international arena with the Super Eagles—he found the net in Nigeria’s 3-0 victory over Cameroon this weekend—the forward has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water.
Ighalo has scored five times in his opening eight matches in the EPL, and will be keen to make a big impression against one of the division’s giants.
The Nigerian will be boosted with the news that centre-back Laurent Koscielny is an injury doubt for the Gunners as he continues his return from a hamstring injury.
Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini are also doubts for Saturday’s clash, but Arsenal will be able to call on Petr Cech, who has the best save percentage in the EPL this season.
Similarly, while Wenger will have to deal with Ighalo, the Gunners will also have one or two weapons of their own. Alexis Sanchez has found the net five times in his last two league matches, while Theo Walcott has bagged 12 goals in his last 14 EPL starts.
Will Arsenal build on their magnificent showing over Manchester United and assert their title aspirations, or can Ighalo continue his rich vein of form and put the Gunners to the sword?
How to enter the Guinness Made of More Weekly Draw:
1. Buy a Guinness
2. Check under crown for your minute and unique code
3. Pick the Barclay's Premier League team you think will score in your minute
4. SMS the CODE + EPL TEAM NAME to 1759 to play
5. If your selected team scores a goal in your minute you instantly win N1000 in airtime!
1. Buy a Guinness
2. Check under crown for your minute and unique code
3. Pick the Barclay's Premier League team you think will score in your minute
4. SMS the CODE + EPL TEAM NAME to 1759 to play
5. If your selected team scores a goal in your minute you instantly win N1000 in airtime!
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