Arsenal extend winning run to seven games

The hosts made a bright start to the game and were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in the opening five minutes.

Lacazette did well and weaved his way into the Watford penalty area, however Kabasele attempted challenge caused the Frenchman to lose his balance. The 27-year-old was honest and stayed on his feat, however the change had passed - with referee, Anthony Taylor, deciding not to award to spot kick. This arises the debate of whether players should be honest and stay on their feet, as if he had gone down, a penalty would have been awarded.

Emery’s men had another golden chance ten minutes later. Alexandre Lacazette capitalised on a Craig Cathcart mistake and was clean through on goal facing Watford goalkeeper, Ben Foster. Lacazette attempted a cheeky chip over former England goalkeeper, however he dragged his effort well wide.

On the stroke of half time Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech sustained a nasty hamstring injury. The 36-year-old, who had a good game before his injury, signalled to the bench in great discomfort after taking a long goal kick. Early reports are that Cech has torn a muscle in his hamstring, which will sideline him for at least a month. This gave Bernd leno the opportunity to feature in the Premier League, with the young German goalkeeper doing well to maintain his clean sheet.

Watford gave a good account for themselves in both halves and the visitors should have been ahead in the second half. Isaac Success did well to use his pace and get in behind Rob Holding, however the former Arsenal forward fluffed his lines when it came to the finish. He tried to acutely dink the ball over Leno, however dragged his effort well wide of the goal.

The game looked set to end in stalemate, however two late goals condemned the ‘Hornets’ to an underserved defeat.

Craig Cathcart inadvertently sliced the ball past his own goalkeeper to put the hosts ahead with ten minutes to go. Alex Iwobi fired in a dangerous cross, which was met by Cathcart as Lacazette put the 29-year-old under immense pressure. He skewed the ball behind and past Ben Foster, allowing a unanimous sigh of relief to ring around the Emirates.  

Two minutes later Mesut Ozil put the game to bed. After pushing up too many players in attacking areas, Watford were immediately punished on the counter-attack. Alexandre Lacazette did well to pick out Ozil, who was unmarked, with the former Germany international providing a simple finish past a despairing Foster.

It was deja vu for the ‘Gunners’, with the game mirroring their 2-0 victory over Everton at home. In truth, Watford for the better side and deserved at least a draw from the game, however it speaks volume that Unai Emery’s side are able to grind out important victories at home, whilst being in a transitional phase.