Arsenal entertain Watford at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon looking to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 against the newly promoted side, who few weeks ago appointed Premier League winning manager, Claudio Ranieri as their new manager after the dismissal of Xisco.
Mikel Arteta in a prematch press conference ahead of Watford clash. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
The Gunners are yet to lose a game since their humiliating 5-0 loss to Manchester City late August, and have been able to climb their way up the league table and secure a place in the Carabao Cup quarter finals with seven wins and two draws in that run.
Nonetheless as impressive as the run is, anything except the three points this afternoon against the newcomers will be regarded a disappointment. Mikel Arteta and his boys knows how crucial a win will be for them as a good number of the top teams dropped points on Saturday, while two top teams, in Liverpool and West Ham United face off later in the day.
Watford have been trying to turn this around under Ranieri however the current run of fixtures prove too tough for the Italian. After three games in charge of The Hornets, they have lost two, one which was a 5-0 loss at home to Liverpool.
However, they did won in the following week at Merseyside, coming from behind to beat Everton 5-2 for their first ever win away to the Goodison in the Premier League history.
Head To Head
Arsenal are unbeaten in each of their last five games against Watford, winning four, and that came after Watford had won the previous two meetings that preceded.
A win for the home side today will be equal their longest unbeaten run against Watford, between September 1999 to October 2015, when Arsenal won six straight meetings in all competitions.
Team news
Arsenal are expected to be without Granit Xhaka who has been ruled out until the new year. However, the Swiss has returned earlier and has started a light session. Defender, Pablo Mari is still out through illness.
Kieran Tierney is being assessed ahead of the game but he should be expected to miss out given the contributions of his backup, Mikel Arteta has no reason to rush the return of the defender in order to have him fit after the internationals break when the play Liverpool.
Watford have the trio of Christian Kabasele, Ken Sema and Oghenekaro Etebo on the sideline. Nigeria Midfielder, Etebo is not expected to be back until March next year after undergoing surgery on his thigh.
Verdict
Arsenal have the favourites heading into the contest and they should be able to produce the three points against the visitors.
Line-ups Prediction
Arsenal: Ramsdale, Nuno Tavares, Gabriel, Ben White, Tomiyasu, Partey, Sambi Lokonga, Smith Rowe, Saka, Aubameyang, Lacazette.
Watford: Ben Foster, Masina, Cathcart, Troost-Ekong, Kiko, Cleverley, Sissoko, Kucka, Sarr, Dennis, Joshua King.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
1 Comment
It's going to be a tough encounter but I pray and hope Arsenal can get a win and sit 3rd heading into the International break