Cleverley backs Hornets to ‘build on’ Gunners’ point - (2025)

Watford goalscorer Tom Cleverley believes the Hornets will take confidence from Arsenal comeback and build some momentum.

Tom Cleverley believes Watford can “build on” their come-from-behind performance in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal to “go forward” in the Premier League this season (Watford 4/11 To Stay Up).

The Hornets went into the game sitting at the foot of the table with just one point from their opening four games, which ultimately cost Javi Gracia his job over the international break.

Quique Sanchez Flores was brought back for a second spell in charge and was hoping to give the players a lift against Unai Emery’s Gunners.

However, it looked like they were heading for a fourth defeat in five when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired Arsenal into a two-goal half-time lead.

But the Hornets came out fighting after the break and snatched a deserved draw thanks to Cleverley and Roberto Pereyra’s penalty nine minutes from time.

Watford stay bottom with two points, but Cleverley is confident that they will soon start moving up the table.

He told Sky Sports: “Arsenal were a bit tentative and we could smell that a bit. I feel we have had a few penalties go against us so it’s time we got one that went our way. We can definitely build on this and go forward.”

Arsenal (5/6 Top 4 Finish) could have moved up to third had they won and Emery was frustrated that his side gifted the opposition goals with more defensive errors.

The Spanish tactician said: “We were up in the first half and we knew that we needed to score the third. They had the capacity to come back with the supporters and that’s what happened.

“We couldn’t break their pressing in the second half. They are physical, a very strong team. They pushed for our mistakes, they were playing for our mistakes.

“When you are trying to break their lines you can have chances. They won the second half and my summary is it is not a good point.”

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