Watford vs Arsenal - Vicarage Road, Watford - Tuesday 26th December 2006

A very lucky 3 points, this. Following on from the entertaining game against Blackburn just before Christmas, Arsenal struggled in the main against a committed Watford side, who played in a way that would always have given them a chance at getting a result. Arsenal's determination, and ultimately something extra in the skill department, gave us the victory, but to be honest, we didn't look convincing for the 3 points at any time. Encouraging, though, because we have often failed to win games like this.

Gilberto scored the opener, to make him just about the highest Arsenal scorer of the season so far. Amazing how well he seems to be playing, now that he has the added responsibility of the captaincy. He was always occasionally good at headers from corners, or at penalties, but now he seems to be firing in lots of both, with some close-range shots thrown in for good measure as well.

Watford's equaliser was an accident waiting to happen, after some good spells of pressure, and an Arsenal defence that didn't look like it was paying attention the whole time. A good move down the flank, defenders nowhere to be seen, and they were level - Arsenal had had the better of possession, but defensively had deserved what happened to them when Watford scored. For the remainder of the first half, I was getting increasingly amused at a mouthy home fan, who was wearing a shocking green jacket, and was standing up and gesticulating at the away section. Just on half time, he was thrown out, much to the delight of the Arsenal section.

The second half was equally unconvincing from Arsenal - I cannot honestly say that Arsenal convincingly deserved to win the game. But, win it we did - Van Persie got the ball just outside the box, and, in a carbon copy of one of his goals against Blackburn 3 days earlier, left the defender on his arse as he turned onto his left foot, then curled a beautiful shot across the keeper and into the corner.

We didn't deserve it, but you take lucky wins like this when you can get them. On leaving the ground, conversation was about how we must play better, how a better side would have beaten us, and how glad we were that we didn't live in Watford - truly a depressing town.