Watford striker Odion Ighalo rediscovered his scoring boots on Sunday to knock holders and favourites Arsenal out of the FA Cup and propel the Hornets towards a date at Wembley.
The Nigeria international ended a month-long goal drought to fire the Premier League newcomers ahead five minutes after the break against a surprisingly strong Arsenal line-up. A minute later and it would have been ten hours of football since Ighalo had hit the back of the net.
When Algerian Adlène Guedioura’s superbly struck shot doubled Watford’s lead after 63 minutes, it started to become clear that the Gunners’ best hope of silverware this season, given the first leg Champions League deficit they would be faced with turning around against the mighty Barcelona in three days’ time, would be to focus on chasing down Leicester City.
But Arsene Wenger’s side did rally. Professional football’s longest serving coach brought on Danny Welbeck, who demonstrated he should have started the game by pulling a goal back late on. And the former Man United striker should have levelled the game when he blasted a rebound wide on 90 minutes with Watford goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon stranded.
Following defeats by Swansea in the league and Barcelona in that Champions League last 16 first leg, this was Arsenal’s third consecutive loss at the Emirates and the first time they have lost three home games ‘on-the-spin’ since 2002, when they were still at Highbury. The Gunners also hadn’t lost to Watford since 1988. The defeat ended a 16-game unbeaten run in the FA Cup. The holders had not lost in the competition since February 2013.
After the match, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger spoke to an interviewer from BBC Sport:
“Our fantastic run has come to an end on a day where we felt that our performance deserved a win. Credit to Watford, they created few chances but took them all. It’s sad because we gave everything.
“The players don’t miss on purpose. You have to be realistic. Of course on the first goal, we made a mistake.”
Watford manager Quique Flores said:
“It was difficult in the first half, we tried to contain Arsenal and then try to create attempts and play well.
“In the last two months we were being competitive, but not winning. I feel fantastic, I’m really happy for the players and the fans. They follow us and it is an amazing prize for them.
“I have memories on television of the old Wembley and watching in Spain and seeing the finals of this competition. I’ve just arrived in England, and to get there is exciting.”
Watford’s joy at progressing to a Wembley semi-final may be tempered by the fact Odion Ighalo limped off the field ten minutes before the end. Nigeria fans will be hoping Ighalo is not seriously injured ahead of crucial AFCON qualifiers against Egypt.
Egypt midfielder Elneny started for Arsenal and was later replaced by Nigeria youngster Alex Iwobi, who has also been called up for the Nigeria vs Egypt AFCON showdown.
