Sanchez, Giroud and Ramsey guide Arsenal to win at Watford
LONDON (AP) Second-half goals from Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey guided Arsenal to a 3-0 win at Watford on Saturday that kept the team in second place in the Premier League.
The goals all came within 12 minutes at Vicarage Road, where Watford had only conceded once this season going into the game and was holding Arsenal at bay for the first hour.
But the three points kept Arsenal above Manchester United on goal difference, after Louis van Gaal's side beat Everton 3-0 earlier in the day.
''When we scored the first goal I liked the fact we were relentless and continued to attack,'' Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. ''The confidence is there and once we were 1-0 up or 2-0 up we continued to play and attack. Physically and mentally the game became more difficult for Watford as well and we took advantage of that.''
Sanchez started the scoring in the 62nd minute when Mesut Ozil was tackled in the penalty area, only for the ball to roll onto the Chilean's feet for him to lift over Heurehlo Gomes and into the net off the post. It was his 10th goal in his last six games at club and international level with Chile.
Six minutes later, substitute Olivier Giroud fired a cut-back from Ozil into the roof of the net, before Ramsey netted his first club goal of the season, following a neat pass from Hector Bellerin. His effort deflected into the net off of Ikechi Anya.
The Wales international said Arsenal had to be patient to overcome Watford, which lost its momentum once Arsenal went ahead.
''It was difficult, in the first half they pressed us really well,'' Ramsey said. ''We stuck with the game plan and thankfully our quality showed.''
Watford stayed on 10 points, six points above the relegation zone and 14th in the standings.
''I think for one hour, we play really well,'' Flores said. ''We have our chances in the first half but the first goal, when we are playing very well in the second half, is a very hard kick for the team and we are down for the next 10 minutes.''
