Greg Lea
The most endearing thing about football is its relative simplicity. There are very few barriers to entry, the only requirements being a roughly spherical object and a bit of open space, while its formal organisation is rather straightforward too in league competition.
Three points are awarded for a win regardless of the margin of victory or stature of opposition.
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That is something that Arsene Wenger and Arsenal should keep in mind ahead of their trip to Vicarage Road to face Watford on Saturday.
Before the international break, Wenger’s side produced a fine display against Manchester United, defeating the then-league leaders 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
While such successes are always likely to give a team a psychological boost, Arsenal must remember that the same reward is on offer at Watford this weekend as the three points they gained last time out. Indeed, failing to win at Vicarage Road would undo much of their good work from the encounter with United before the international break.
In the last five seasons, only Chelsea in 2014/15 and Manchester City in 2011/12 have won the Premier League title and also gained more points than each of their top four rivals in head-to-head fixtures between the quartet.
Beating your closest challengers is important, but such victories must come as part of a consistent winning run rather than as memorable standalone triumphs.
Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil were particularly excellent against United, with Wenger also rightly receiving plenty of credit for his tactical plan, which saw Arsenal overwhelm their opponents with skill and intensity early on before shutting up shop after half-time.
The Frenchman must ensure his charges build on that result in Saturday’s clash with Watford, where exactly the same prize is on offer as two weeks ago.
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