Arsenal vs Watford: Three things to look out for - Danny Welbeck's finishing and Odion Ighalo's goal drought

Arsenal need to prove they have the head strength to get back into the title picture

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Can Danny Welbeck improve his finishing?

Arsenal’s form has costily dipped in the last few weeks and yet there has been one bright spark for them: Danny Welbeck. He has scored four goals since returning from a 10-month injury lay off, providing them with a useful synthesis of Theo Walcott’s pace and Olivier Giroud’s strength.

But as Arsene Wenger said on Friday, the one thing he has to improve is his finishing. Welbeck missed a good chance to equalise when Arsenal lost to Watford here in the cup. He will hope to do better this afternoon.

Will Odion Ighalo start scoring again?

When Watford surged up into the European qualification positions in the first half on the season it was largely on the back of the goals of Odion Ighalo. Yet the Nigerian international has scored just one league goal in 2016, and his struggles have been mirrored in those of his team.

It is not for want of trying, in fact he almost looks too selfish, and insufficiently team-oriented, to the cost of the whole side. He did score here against Arsenal in the FA Cup, though, and knows how to hurt them.

Arsenal’s heads?

Mesut Ozil’s correct observation that Arsenal have “screwed up” their title challenge did not go down well with Arsene Wenger, who has upbraided his star player about it. Wenger said yesterday that, even if Arsenal just have a one per cent chance of winning the title, they must still believe that they can triumph on 15 May.

Saying that is one thing, though, but doing it is quite another, and it remains to be seen if Arsenal will be fully motivated today.