Not many people would have put Watford ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League table after six weeks of the season, but that is the situation in which we are in as the two teams face off at the Emirates this weekend.
It looks as if Unai Emery’s men are starting to gain momentum with each week that passes as they have now made it four straight league wins since early defeats to both Manchester City and crosstown rivals Chelsea.
The Gunners extended their winning streak with a win over Everton, which although they came out on top it could be argued that there was an element of fortune to their win. Something that came in the shape of an absent offside flag for their second goal.
If truth be told, it did little to affect the outcome as Everton were too blunt upfront to score a goal or two of their own. At the same time though Marco Silva would have had every right to be aggrieved at the decision that went against him.
Even with his protests though it doesn’t change the fact that the Gunners got the better of the Merseyside counterparts and will be looking to do the same when Watford boss Javi Gracia and his players make the short trip to the Emirates.against Fulham last weekend. The Hornets got off to a lightning start after Andre Gray scored within two minutes of the start.
And they also had plenty of chances to wrap up all three points, although these were ones that they failed to do so and then were subsequently punished as Fulham found a second half leveller through their talisman Alexsandar Mitrovic.
A frustrating early afternoon for Watford in East London as they should have really come out on top, but the disappointment is also a mark of their progress as the club have a belief that they can win every battle they undertake.
And there’s also been a great deal of cohesion for Watford this season, as they are yet to make a change to their starting eleven in the first six matches. Something that is obviously paying dividends on the pitch.
They may well need to make an enforced change this time around though as Troy Deeney has picked up an injury to his toes, at the same time though he is the kind of player who will play through the pain barrier if required.
Not only that but he loves getting the opportunity to rough up Arsenal and you get the feeling that he will be given every possible chance to prove his fitness before Sunday. However, even with him in the Watford ranks it might not be enough to get a result.
Arsenal really are starting to click under Unai Emery especially in attack, and although they may have their defensive deficiencies they probably just have that extra edge to go on and earn all three points in front of their fans.