Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has his sights set on catching Sergio Aguero and Mohamed Salah in the race for the Premier League s Golden Boot after his opportunistic goal downed Watford.
Aubameyang capitalised on goalkeeper Ben Foster s lapse in concentration in the 10th minute at Vicarage Road on Monday, earning a win that moved the Gunners up to fourth in the table.
Troy Deeney s red card shortly after the goal gave Watford a mountain to climb but Javi Gracia s side hit the woodwork twice, Bernd Leno turning Craig Cathcart s effort on to the post and Adam Masina s drive clipping the crossbar.
Arsenal held on against the 10 men for their first away clean sheet in the Premier League this season, giving Unai Emery s men a boost ahead of the second leg of their upcoming Europa League quarter-final with Napoli.
Aubameyang moved on to 18 Premier League goals with his winner and is now within one of Golden Boot leaders Salah and Aguero, while Liverpool s Sadio Mane is level with the Gabon international.
Never in doubt
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal)
Former Borussia Dortmund striker Aubameyang was the Bundesliga s leading scorer in 2016-17 after netting 31 times and he feels he can chase down Aguero and Salah despite games running out fast.
Yeah, why not. I feel confident, Aubameyang told Sky Sports when asked if he could claim the Golden Boot. The race is going on. I know it s a tough battle. I m confident that I will carry on.
I was confident. It s a long time I wanted to score a goal like this. Tonight, it went through. I was confident. Normally goalkeepers, they don t really know if you re coming back to them. It was a good goal for me, I like it.
Aubameyang ploughed a lone furrow with Alexandre Lacazette left on the bench and the striker accepted he would prefer to operate as a front two with the Frenchman alongside him.
Everybody knows that I like to play with Laca because we have a great partnership, he added.
Sometimes one plays, the other is on the bench. It s like that. You have to fight for the team.
I think you know that I like to play with two strikers but I don’t want to say it because the coach will be maybe a bit angry.
An important victory for
— Premier League (@premierleague)
Watford goalkeeper Foster accepted he was badly to blame for Arsenal s winner, failing to move the ball on fast enough after receiving Daryl Janmaat’s pass.
I am gutted for the lads. they were brilliant, Foster said to Sky Sports. We were the better team, pushing for it. Arsenal were happy to hit us on the counter.
I should have just ‘Cruyffed’ him to be honest. I ve said sorry to the lads. I have tried to drag it on to my left and pass it out but before I knew it he was bloody on me. He is too quick.
I have to do it quicker. In hindsight you have to get rid as quick as you can, even if it goes into row Z. I am definitely not a modern goalie. They can t score from row Z. He is just rapid. Lesson learned.
