Arsenal on the Brink of Another “Trophyless” Season

With a 1-2 loss to Watford at the weekend English FA Cup, Arsenal look so much like a team without any hope of a trophy this season.

The gunners are eight points off the pace in the Premier League and 2-0 down to Barcelona ahead of Wednesday's Champions League last 16 return leg at Camp Nou. And just two days ago, Arsenal were bundled out of FA Cup.

Gunner’s dream of playing in Monday’s semifinals of English FA Cup was thwarted when Watford made the breakthrough in the 50th minute as Deeney flicked a left-wing throw-in to Ighalo, who turned, held off Gabriel and beat David Ospina with a low shot.

The visitors extended their advantage 13 minutes later in stunning fashion as Guedioura met Deeney's lay-off with a blistering strike that flew from his right foot into the top-right corner.

Welbeck reduced the arrears late on, finishing neatly after a one-two with Mesut Ozil, but then squandered a golden chance to equalise by shooting wide of an open goal from Kieran Gibbs's pass.

Holders Arsenal were dumped out of the FA Cup despite their domineering possession against Watford. The gunners lacked the cutting-edge to convert their chances to goals.

"Our fantastic run has come to an end on a day where we felt that our performance deserved a win," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, whose side replied through substitute Danny Welbeck in the 88th minute.
"Credit to Watford -- they created few chances, but took them all. It's sad because we gave everything."

Triumphant in the FA Cup in 2014 and 2015, Arsenal were beaten in the competition for the first time since a 1-0 fifth-round defeat by Blackburn Rovers in February 2013.

Wenger named a strong team for the visit of Watford, but despite dominating possession Arsenal struggled to create chances in the first half, with Mohamed Elneny sweeping one effort over the bar.

Arsenal centre-back Gabriel, meanwhile, was very fortunate to escape without even a booking after flying into a two-footed challenge on Troy Deeney with his studs raised.