Watford condemned to relegation after defeat at the Emirates

Aston Villa’s joy has come at the expense of Watford’s pain – The Hornet’s five year stint in the Premier League has come to an end.

Watford headed to the Emirates knowing they needed a huge result to have any chance of staying in the top flight.

But Hayden Mullins’ side got off to the worst possible start. Just four minutes in and Arsenal were awarded a penalty – Craig Dawson appearing to have nudged Alexandre Lacazette in the back. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stepped up and put his penalty away to put the Gunners infront.

Midway through the first half and Arsenal were 2-0 up. Aubameyang teed up Kieran Tierney for his first Arsenal goal. The Scot’s shot appeared to have taken a deflection off Roberto Pereyra, but the impact on Watford’s season was more devastating than the small deviation off the Argentine.

Just eight minutes later and a long throw from the full-back Tierney was met by a bicycle-kick by Aubameyang. It was an sensational finish from the Gabon Striker, but the defending for the goal was a reflection of the Hornets’ season – poor.

With Bournemouth winning at Everton and Aston Villa drawing at West Ham, Watford were in deep trouble. Only a miracle would keep them in the Premier League.

But with just two minutes before the break the visitors had a slice of hope. David Luiz brought down Danny Welbeck which gave Watford a spot kick of their own. Troy Deeney rifled it passed Arsenal keeper Emi Martinez to make it 3-1.

That goal gave Watford some momentum. In the second half they started on the front foot and made a real go of it. Some nice play from Deeney put Welbeck in on goal, but the huge shoulder of Martinez kept the former Arsenal man out.

But with 25 minutes to go Ismaila Sarr’s low cross from the right flank found Welbeck who tapped it away. Welbeck has got his goal on his return to the Emirates and a goal which put Watford right back in the picture for survival.

It could have been 3-3 with 15 minutes to go. It was almost a carbon copy of Watford’s second, Sarr crossed from the right hand side and found Welbeck – only this time the striker backheeled his effort and the effort was punched away superbly by the Argentinian keeper, Martinez.

It was Watford’s best chance and arguably their last real chance of the final quarter of an hour. Arsenal held out for the win, and with Aston Villa holding out for a draw at the London Stadium, Watford’s were relegated to the Championship.

After what had been a sensational 2018/19 campaign, where the Hornets spent most of the season in European contention and had reached an FA Cup Final, following a sensational fightback against Wolves in the semis, 2019/20 had been a disaster.

Four managers have been in the hotseat and all have been unable to change Watford’s fortunes and prevent them going through the trap door.

The Hertfordshire side now prepare for life in England’s second tier with a lot on their hands. They’ll be looking for a new manager and of course will try to persuade their star players to stay to help them bounce back to the Premier League.

In contrast it has been a good end to what has been Arsenal’s worst season in 25 years. Mikel Arteta’s side finish the season in eighth place, just three points behind North London’s rivals Tottenham and Wolves.

The Gunners now turn their attention to the FA Cup final against Chelsea on Saturday. Win for Arteta’s side will make it 14 FA Cups for Arsenal and would also secure them a place in the Europa League next season.

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