Watford manager Roy Hodgson has lauded Mikel Arteta’s role in Arsenal’s third goal against the Hornets to secure a massive 3-2 win for the north London club in the Premier League.
Speaking to Football London after their latest Premier League, the Watford boss praised his Arsenal counterpart’s quick-thinking to give the ball to Bukayo Saka for an Arsenal throw-in which saw Gabriel Martinelli score in the 52nd-minute.
The goal would prove to be crucial as Moussa Sissoko would go on to add a consolation goal for Watford with three minutes remaining, with the win taking Arsenal to fourth in the Premier League standings following Manchester United’s defeat to Manchester City.
The results this weekend have firmly put UEFA Champions League football in Arsenal’s hands, who have three games in hand over the Red Devils in the league yet play the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea and Aston Villa away from home in the coming weeks.
Indeed, victory today for Arsenal will go a long way in what could be a rough run of fixtures for Arteta’s side, and for the Watford boss, he was left impressed by the Basque coach’s role in the third and crucial goal for the Gunners at Vicarage Road.
The veteran Watford manager said on Arteta throw: “That’s good work from their side. I try very hard not to criticise teams for trying to speed up the game. If that means the coach runs to give the ball quicker, I congratulate them.”
Arteta’s moment of magic saved Arsenal points against Watford
Quick thinking from Arteta has thrown Arsenal right into the race for top-four, and Hodgson’s comments on the Gunners boss highlight just how key the moment was in the north London side securing all three points.
With United getting battered by City, Arsenal’s win against Watford is that made that more important with the business end of the season well underway, and Arteta’s moment of magic could be the difference between an 8th-place finish or a return to the Champions League.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
