Holders Arsenal were dumped out of the FA Cup at the Emirates on Sunday, with Watford winning 2-1 to book their place in the last four at Wembley. As usual, the Gunners had plenty of chances to win the game in the first-half, but failed to make their dominance count, leaving the Hornets to secure the win in the second-half.
Brazilian defender Gabriel was lucky not to see red for this tackle on Troy Deeney in the first-half…
“Out of control!” @IanWright0 is relieved @T_Deeney came out of @gpaulista5‘s challenge unscathed. #EmiratesFACup https://t.co/3VBKuwedDj
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 13, 2016
After a trademark wasteful first-half from the Gunners, Watford made the breakthrough on 50 minutes through Odion Ighalo…
Ighalo’s first goal in eight games hands @WatfordFC the lead at the Emirates! #AFCvWFC #EmiratesFACup https://t.co/dekxrjqDn3
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 13, 2016
Then, just after the hour-mark, Adlene Guedioura fired home an absolute belter to put the visitors 2-0 up…
Wow. Watford. Wonderful. Well done ⚽️⚽️👏👏 https://t.co/B2jz8O0jUE
— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) March 13, 2016
Sub Danny Welbeck did get one back late on, after a sublime assist from Mesut Ozil…
And at the death, Welbeck somehow managed to fire wide with the goal gaping…
Moments after scoring, Welbeck squanders a golden opportunity to equalise for @Arsenal… #EmiratesFACup #AFCvWFC https://t.co/5NkQMSiLhJ
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 13, 2016
The defeat means that the Gunners have now won just one of their last seven games (and just four of their last 14), leaving their season in tatters. With little chance of over-turning a 2-0 aggregate away to Barcelona in midweek and a whopping eight points between them and Leicester City, Arsenal’s season is all but over. Is this summer the time for Arsene Wenger to finally go?
As for Quique Sanchez Flores and Watford, they can look forward to a Wembley semi-final outing in what has been a superb season back in the top-flight for the Hornets.