Watford dump holders Arsenal out of FA Cup
Watford have made it through to the FA Cup semi-finals after a 2-1 win against holders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Watford took the lead after half-time through Odion Ighalo, who scored on the turn from 10 yards, before Adlene Guedioura made it 2-0 on 63 minutes with an incredible 20-yard strike from the right corner of the penalty area.
Arsenal substitute Danny Welbeck halved the deficit with two minutes remaining, and missed a glorious opportunity to equalise moments later after Alex Iwobi had hit the post.
The visitors felt Gabriel should have been sent off in the first-half for a two-footed lunge on Troy Deeney, but referee Andre Marriner kept his cards in his pocket.
The result means the Hornets have now reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the third time in 14 years, while Arsenal have failed in their bid to become only the third side in history to win the FA Cup three times in a row.
Defeat ends the club’s 37-month unbeaten run in the competition and raises the prospect of a trophyless season, with Arsene Wenger’s side – booed off at the final whistle – eight points off the pace in the Premier League and 2-0 down to Barcelona ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 return leg at Camp Nou.
