A second 3-0 win in a row left Arsène Wenger smiling on Saturday evening.

Three goals in the space of 12 minutes killed what had turned into a tricky looking game for the Gunners against a side that hadn’t conceded a goal from open play at Vicarage Road in four previous games this season.

The first half showed why, as Arsenal struggled against Watford’s organised and physical defence.

“We understood that we have to commit more, that went better and better,” Wenger said to Sky Sports after the game. “In the second half that was relentless, when we scored we continued to go and we got a convincing win with a good performance.”

The most promising thing was the attitude after the goal. Arsenal didn’t sit off and protect the lead, but smelt blood and looked to kill the game off. We did that superbly, giving Watford no chance to get back into it.

A slow start wasn’t quit good enough, but Wenger credited his players with a better performance as the game went on.

“Players just came back (from internationals) and maybe, subconsciously, you think it’ll be easier than it was. We understood quickly, because the players are intelligent, that it would be a difficult afternoon if we didn’t commit completely.

“The first goal gave them a blow and the second definitely killed the game.”

What a way to keep the good mood going. Our killer instinct in the second half was faultless, which isn’t something you can say of all of our sides in recent years.

Hopefully it is just the beginning of a fantastic season.