Arsenal 1-2 Watford
by Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
at Ashburton Grove

ARSENAL’S home form is fast becoming a problem. Just the solitary win at Ashburton Grove from their last six games in all competitions and the latest failure looks to have cost them a chance of ending the season with a piece of silverware.

The FA Cup holders crashed out of the competition at the quarter-final stage yesterday afternoon as Watford ended their hopes of becoming the first side to ever claim the trophy three times in a row.

Defeat was hardly the best preparation for Arsene Wenger heading into a pivotal week in the club’s season and the pressure from supporters is sure to increase on the Gunners boss should they lose the next two games.

The Frenchman faced the media after the game and dismissed suggestions that his side were suffering with a confidence crisis despite a run of form which has yielded four wins from 14.

“This had nothing to do with confidence. Of course there is confidence in the team,” he said.

“The recent results haven’t shown that but we’ve played against good teams and the recent results were 2-2 at Tottenham with 10 men and a 4-0 win at Hull.

“I don’t see why we shouldn’t have any confidence.”

To be honest the Gunners have been poor for a while now and realistically it will take a stunning turn of events to salvage their season.

Two goals down from the first leg in their Champions League round of 16 tie against Barcelona, it’s difficult to see them overturning that deficit in the Camp Nou on Wednesday night.

It will take an almighty collapse by Leicester City coupled with sparkling form from the Gunners if they are to be crowned champions of England and the increasingly routine boos at the end of each home game are becoming extremely understandable.

Watford’s Odion Ighalo broke the deadlock soon after the interval then Adlene Guedioura’s superb effort from just outside the area which flew past David Ospina proved to be the goal that booked the Hornets’ place in the semi-final after Danny Welbeck had set up a grandstand finish.

An elated Quique Sanchez Flores admitted afterwards that he is relishing the trip to Wembley next month.

“I feel fantastic, I’m really happy for the players and the fans. They follow us and it is an amazing prize for them,” he said.

“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.”