Following Arsenal's 4-0 win over Hull City on Tuesday night, Watford finally found out who their opponents would be in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday afternoon. Now, having prepared in ernest this week, Hornets' midfieder Ikechi Anya believes his side are ready to cause what would be a big upset.
Arsene Wenger's Gunners are the reigning FA Cup champions, and are looking to win the competition for the third season in the row - so it's all to do for Quique Sanchez Flores' side. However, with the prospect of Wembley Stadium just one win away, Anya has spoken of how "excited" the team feel, saying that everyone is "ready". The 28-year-old insists the side are well prepared, suggesting the manager has "spoke to [them]" and that the team "know [their] positions".
A false result
Back in October at Vicarage Road, Arsenal ran out 3-0 winners - but it was a result that didn't tell the whole story, with a trio of quick goals taking the game beyond the Hornets. Anya suggests that this was a "false result", with Watford "very much in the game" other than a "12-minute spell when they scored three times". The Scot insists that despite the scoreline suggesting it was a "beating", Watford "had [their] chances".
As a result, Anya knows that if the Hornets play to the "best of [their] abilities", they can get a result on Sunday, and the midfielder was quick to highlight "the strikers" - Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo in particular - as a big threat to the Arsenal defence. If they "take their chances" - something that has admittedly been a problem for Watford in recent weeks - Anya suggets, then Watford will give as good as they get.
The 12th man
9,000 fans are planning on travelling to North London on Sunday, and Flores has suggested that the fan support will be vital. Anya agrees, saying that the incredible backing from the Watford fans could work their favour. This, Anya says, is why there is "no pressure" on the team - they can go out and "express [themselves]", ultimately trying to "make them proud".
Anya admits there is "probably a little gap" between the standard of Watford and Arsenal, but insists the fans will be "like another player", and the Hornets can definitely use that to their advantage. Anya insists the players are "playing for [the fans]", and with a game at Wembley on the cards, it's going to be all to play for when the teams line up come Sunday afternon.