THREE minutes of added-time. Arsenal set to end a woeful run of form and avoid a fourth consecutive Premier League defeat.
90' +1
Free-kick in a dangerous position for Watfordas they seek a consolation goal, with Capoue clipping a cross over to the far side. It's headed back across goal to Prodl, who lashes a shot well over the bar.
90'
G. Xhaka gets yellow.
Watford still look intent on ruining Petr Cech's party, as the Arsenal man looks to become the first goalkeeper to reach 200 Premier League clean sheets. He's waited 11 games for the achievement- and his work isn't yet complete.
A late and unnecessary booking for Xhaka, after he screams at Martin Atkinson to complain about a free-kick being given against him.
88'
Xhaka concedes a foul by the corner flag on the far side, allowing Watford to put the ball into the box. It's a poor delivery though and Maitland-Niles gets the ball away easily.
86'
SAVE! Arsenal going through the gears as they continue to attack, with the forward four linking up superbly. Ozil, Aubameyang and Wilshere are all involved in the build-up, before Welbeck sees his strike palmed away by Karnezis.
84'
Watford look short of ideas and Javi Gracia's long wait for a victory on the road looks set to continue. Their next away match is against Liverpool at Anfield too, so the wait could be even longer.
82'
Arsenal can taste blood and could go for more here and they're happy to continue to attack at every opportunity.
80'
M. Britos enters the game and replaces D. Janmaat.
Final change of the game for Watford, who replace Janmaat with Britos.
Chants of 'Deeney, what's the score?' ringing around the Emirates Stadium. The fans certainly haven't forgotten his comments after the game at Vicarage Road and it seems Arsenal haven't either, as they've responded well here.
78'
J. Wilshere enters the game and replaces H. Mkhitaryan.
And that's Mkhitaryan's last contribution to the match. It's not been the greatest game for him today but a goal and an assist isn't a bad return at all. Jack Wilshere takes his spot.
77'
H. Mkhitaryan has scored a goal for Arsenal! Assist by P. Aubameyang.
Scorer of the second, Aubameyang turns provider to return to favour to Mkhitaryan.
GOAL! Arsenal make it three! Ozil is fed through down the left, his low cross into the area is fumbled by Karnezis and it falls to Aubameyang. He tees-up former Dortmund colleague Mkhitaryan, who nets his first Premier League goal for the Gunners.
Minute
Description
75'
Arsenal still aren't quite flowing as you'd expect them to but this game could be the catalyst they need to push on. The Europa League is of course their priority but a lot of tensions would be relieved if they were to embark on a strong run of form.
73'
C. Chambers enters the game and replaces S. Mustafi.
Mustafi receives some treatment and Arsenal are not taking any chances with the defender, replacing him with Chambers.
71'
The penalty miss has really knocked the stuffing out of Watford, whilst it's given Arsenal the encouragement they need to go on to win this match- and there's still more goals for them in the game.
69'
Arsenal should be in easy street now and the penalty save from Petr Cech could prove to be a defining moment, not just in this game but also in the Gunners' season. He's exercised some of his demons with that contribution and will now seek to hold on for a landmark 200th clean sheet in the Premier League.
67'
S. Okaka enters the game and replaces R. Pereyra.
Watford now looking for a way back into the game and Pereyra is sacrificed, with Okaka taking his place.
66'
J. Holebas gets yellow.
D. Welbeck enters the game and replaces A. Iwobi.
STAT: Henrikh Mkhitaryan has assisted four goals in six Premier League appearances for Arsenal. On top of that, Aubameyang has scored three goals in his five Premier League matches for the Gunners.
Holebas clatters into Mkhitaryan and picks up a booking, with the game now swinging heavily in Arsenal's favour.
Arsenal respond with their first change, replacing Iwobi with Welbeck. The Nigerian had another poor showing today and Welbeck, who has also underperformed recently, has a chance to shine here.
64'
Now controversy at the other end as Mariappa clatters through Mkhitaryan after the ball had gone. It should have been a penalty but instead Arsenal have a corner, which Kolasinac heads wide.
62'
Penalty saved by P. Čech!
W. Hughes enters the game and replaces Kiko Femenía.
SAVE! Petr Cech has FINALLY saved a penalty for Arsenal! Deeney steps-up and tries to beat Cech at his left side but the veteran keeper, in search of his 200th Premier League clean sheet, keeps it out with a strong hand.
Deeney's attempt was poor and Cech kept it out brilliantly. A huge moment in the match!
First change of the game for Watford, who replace Femenia with Will Hughes.
61'
PENALTY! Arsenal's defence falters again as Pereyra is brought to ground by Maitland-Niles, it's an easy decision for Martin Atkinson to make.
59'
P. Aubameyang has scored a goal for Arsenal! Assist by H. Mkhitaryan.
Arsenal have not been in the game since the interval and they really need to put their mark on the match. A change does look imminent though, with Danny Welbeck getting stripped and ready for action on the sidelines.
Mkhitaryan had been struggling, particularly defensively, but he showed his strengths there with an excellent move.
GOAL! Arsenal relieve the tension! Mkhitaryan picks up on a loose ball and drives forward, poking a well-timed pass through to Aubameyang. The Gunners' record signing rounds the keeper and slots home, celebrating his third goal since joining the club in January.
57'
CHANCE! Watford play the free-kick short to Capoue, who pings a ball across to Femenia but his cut-back into the six-yard box is deflected behind by Elneny. The resulting corner is taken by Holebas but there's too much on the ball.
55'
S. Mustafi gets yellow.
Ozil caught late on the far side, giving him an opportunity to deliver into the area. Arsenal elect to go short though and are struggling to break down an organised Watford line, which is forcing them back towards the halfway mark before giving the ball away.
And that in turn leads to the game's first yellow card, as Richarlison's surge forward is brought to a premature hault after Mustafi's foul.
53'
Watford have shown increased intensity since the restart and it's earned a response from the travelling supporters. There is very little noise coming from the home fans, excluding the odd groan when Arsenal concede possession.
51'
The match really does have a 'last day of term' feel to it, which is odd considering we're only in the opening weeks of March. This could become a regular scene in north London between now and the end of the season, with Arsenal having all their eggs firmly in the Europa League basket.
49'
It is a better delivery though from Holebas as it flashes across the face of goal, eventually falling kindly for Elneny to hook the ball away. Tensions continue to rise at the Emirates Stadium.
48'
A crucial block from Holding, divering Femenia's flash shot behind for a corner. Watford have struggled from set-pieces today and will hope to improve this half.
46'
SAVE! Iwobi loses the ball on the edge of the area but it falls kindly to Xhaka, who fires a curling shot from range at Karnezis. It's fairly comfortable for the Watford stopper, although he has to clatch onto it at the second attempt.
45' +2
SAVE! Watford with a very good attacking move after Iwobi's poor clearance, which leads to Richarlison forcing Cech into a solid save with a header towards the left-post of the Czech stopper.
45' +1
TWO minutes of added time to end the first half.
45'
It's all far too casual from Arsenal at the moment and they're not really sending the sort of statement they would have wanted with this performance. If I was AC Milan watching this, I'd be encouraged about the chances of turning the tie around on Thursday.
KICK-OFF! Back underway at the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal have a 1-0 lead and attack to the left in the second period.
43'
Arsenal need to kick themselves into gear again. Watford have enjoyed 60% of possession during the past ten minutes and the Gunners have lost their edge with the ball. It's the sort of problem we've become accustomed to seeing from Arsenal this season and a second goal is desperately needed.
41'
CHANCE! Almost an own goal! Watford work a corner very well and Holding diverts the ball just over Petr Cech's bar, with the following set-piece coming to nothing.
40'
Arsenal really struggling to clear their lines, with Mkhitaryan misplacing a number of passes within his half, and you can hear the nerves amongst the home supporters. The hosts really look intimidated when Watford are running at them.
38'
Crucial interception from Maitland-Niles as he pounces on Richarlison's through ball that was intended for Pereyra, after Watford hit on the counter. Arsenal were in a dangerous position but Iwobi seemed to see the ball get stuck under his feet.
36'
The match is still balanced on a knife edge and the next goal will likely be decisive. I certainly don't expect this to finish 1-0 and Arsenal need to improve if they're to end their long run without a clean sheet.
34'
Still a fairly quiet atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium, with nerves certainly present. Another goal before the break could relieve the pressure but Wenger's side have started to slip in the past ten minutes or so.
32'
Amidst that, Holding and Deeney exchange some choice words. It's not clear exactly what's gone on but Ozil has remained on the field for now. It's something to keep an eye on though, especially with the huge clash against AC Milan on the horizon.
31'
Now this is not good at all for Arsenal. Ozil, with no one around him, kicks the ball out of play and goes to ground in discomfort.
30'
Arsenal could, and probably should, be out of sight here. Karnezis has made two crucial saves to deny Aubameyang and Ozil respectively, which has kept the Hornets in the game. The Gunners may be made to rue those missed opportunities though.
28'
STAT: Decent statistic from Opta here, as Ozil has became the fastest player in Premier League history to reach 50 assists in the competition. He's achieved that margin in 141 games, beating the previous record of 143 held by Eric Cantona.
27'
SAVE! Ozil has been the starring light for Arsenal so far today and he's almost got his name on the scoresheet. The German World Cup winners dances through the Watford defence but is thwarted by Karnezis, who makes a superb stop with his leg.
26'
CHANCE! Free-kick in a decent area for Watford after Xhaka concedes a foul and it allows Richarlison to go for goal. Cech parries it away down low but it's not the best of saves, with the ball dropping straight to Pereyra. However, he fires way over the bar and wastes a golden opportunity.
24'
A sloppy period for Arsenal, who have lost the ball too easily on a number of occasions, and it continues what has been an issue for the Gunners this season. You never really see them with a ruthless approach to a game, instead they seem to hit their comfort zone and drop the presure- then losing control of the game.
22'
Arsenal look comfortable on the ball but when they're without it, the Gunners continue to look like a rabbit caught in the headlights. There's a real lack of control on their defensive line.
21'
STAT: Shkodran Mustafi has scored five times for Arsenal and four of those have been at the Emirates Stadium. Home comforts!
19'
CHANCE! It's all Arsenal here, as Iwobi picks up the ball on the edge of the box on the far side and aims for the top corner. However, it flies over the bar.
17'
CHANCE! Arsenal flowong brilliantly in the final third, with Elneny playing a seeking ball through to Kolasinac who drives a low shot across the face of goal. Aubameyang is there with a touch but there was too much on the initial pass, meaning it goes behind for a goal-kick.
16'
Short break in play as Richarlison receives treatment after an accidental coming together with Elneny in the middle of the field.
14'
Arsenal have plenty of runners in the final third but do look rather frail in defence, with the back-four today certainly not standing out as first choice. It's a big game for Holding and Maitland-Niles in particular, as they seek to prove their worth.
12'
SAVE! Arsenal's defence is exposed as Watford search forward, with Pereyra floating a long ball over the top to Richarlison. He cuts back and tees the ball off to Doucoure, who sees his strike saved by the feet of Cech.
10'
Work certainly not done for Arsenal though, as they had the lead at Vicarage Road before losing 2-1, and the Hornets earn themselves two corners in quick succession here. However, they both come to nothing- with the second delivery from Holebas landing on the roof of Cech's net.
8'
S. Mustafi has scored a goal for Arsenal! Assist by M. Özil.
GOAL! The perfect start for Arsenal! Ozil whips a free-kick from the far side into the danger area, where Mustafi slips his marker and has a comfortable header. It's the Gunners 1000th in the Premier League at home, so it's also a bit of history for the German defender.
Ozil showing his ability once again, taking his tally of assists in recent days up to three.
6'
Watford's first chance comes down the left as Richarlison, searching for a goal that will end his 19-match barren run, slices a shot wide of Cech's near post after being fed the ball by Pereyra.
5'
Arsenal starting on the front foot, with Maitland-Niles showing a willingness to surge forward down the right. Ozil is already popping up in a number of holes, which could be crucial to finding a breakthrough after his stellar performance at the San Siro saw him assist both of the Gunners' goals.
3'
CHANCE! Arsenal get the first opportunity as Ozil weighs a through ball to Aubameyang, who sees his low shot saved by Karnezis one-on-one. Mkhitaryan takes the resulting corner but it comes to nothing.
2'
Plenty of empty seats at the Emirates Stadium, with the absence of many supporters showing just how the fans feel at the moment- although you have the feeling it will be packed for the visit of Milan on Thursday.
1'
KICK-OFF! Here we go then, as Watford get us underway at the Emirates Stadium and attack to the left in the first half.
Arsene Wenger's side stopped the rot in midweek with a stellar 2-0 victory against AC Milan at the San Siro and will now look to build upon that victory in the Europa League, as they seek revenge against a Watford side that defeated them at Vicarage Road earlier this season- which led to Troy Deeney's now infamous assessment of the Gunners.
Good afternoon and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premier League tie between Arsenal and Watford, where the Gunners are seeking a return to winning ways domestically after a frankly woeful record over the course of recent weeks.
Watford are firmly planted in mid-table and have impressed in recent weeks, winning three of their last four Premier League games- including a 4-1 victory over Chelsea. They'll certainly prove to be testing opponents for Arsenal today and will seek to increase the pressure upon the north London giants.
Arsenal's woeful form has been well documented and the Gunners are seeking to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat in the Premier League, something they haven't experienced since 1995. On top of this, Arsenal have not kept a clean sheet in 11 matches- their longest run without one since 1988.
Team news has just come in, so let's dive into it!
Watford, meanwhile, are seeking to do the double over Arsenal and could become only the third side to win back-to-back away Premier League games at the Emirates Stadium, following Chelsea in 2009 and Swansea in 2016. However, since beating Arsenal in January 2017, the Hornets have lost each of their last six matches in London.
Arsenal XI: Petr Cech; Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Shkodran Mustafi, Rob Holding, Sead Kolasinac; Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka; Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Mesut Ozil, Alex Iwobi; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Watford XI: Orestis Karnezis; Daryl Janmaat, Sebastian Prodl, Adrian Mariappa, Jose Holebas; Abdoulaye Doucoure, Etienne Capoue; Kiko Femenia, Roberto Pereyra, Richarlison; Troy Deeney.
Arsenal subs: David Ospina, Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere, Calum Chambers, Joe Willock, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah.
Watford subs: Daniel Bachmann, Will Hughes, Andre Gray, Jerome Sinclair, Andre Carrillo, Miguel Britos, Stefano Okaka.
Arsenal make three changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Brighton last week, bringing in Maitland-Niles, Elneny and Holding into the side. Laurent Koscielny, Wilshere and Chambers drop out, whilst there's six changes from the side that beat AC Milan at the San Siro on Thursday. The absence of Koscileny and Aaron Ramsey, Wenger has confirmed, is precautionary.
After beating West Brom last weekend, Watford make just a single change to their starting line-up. Femenia comes into the side for Carrillo, who drops to the bench. Deeney, after his comments made earlier this season about the Gunners, leads the line in a set-up that mirrors Arsenal's style.
A lot of side plots to accompany this game, including Petr Cech's long wait for a 200th Premier League clean sheet. He's been heavily criticised in recent weeks and took responsibility for the loss to Brighton last weekend, so he's one of many Gunners players with something to prove today.
15 minutes to go until kick-off at the Emirates Stadium, where it will be interesting to see how the home fans respond. One thing is for certain though, there will be plenty of unrest if Watford take the lead.
Bit of a technical hitch from Arsenal before the game, as the official app sent out a notification that claimed Mustafi had been sent off before kick-off. It's since been fixed but is it an indication of things that are to come?
HALF TIME! Arsenal have the lead at the Emirates Stadium thanks to Shkodran Mustafi's early header but the game is certainly not over, with the Gunners sinking away as the first period dragged on. Watford will be encouraged by what they've seen as there is certainly a passage back into the game lying in front of them.
Arsenal's performance has been far too polite, with the Gunners dominating proceedings, taking the lead but then missing key opportunities and then taking their foot off the gas. That lack of ruthlessness has been ever-present from the Gunners this season and it's seen the nervy atmopshere at the Emirates Stadium remain.
Watford have had chances, with Pereyra missing a sitter and Richarlison seeing two decent attempts saved, and Javi Gracia's side have certainly grown into the game as things have progressed. They will certainly fancy their chances of turning this tie around, with the Gunners looking lazy on the ball towards the end of that half.
FULL TIME! Arsenal return to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Watford but it wasn't comfortable for large portions of the match. Shkodran Mustafi's early goal put the Gunners on their way but they had to wait until the second-half to extend their lead, when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tucked home. Troy Deeney then saw a penalty saved by Petr Cech, who celebrates his 200th Premier League clean sheet, before Henrikh Mkhitaryan netted his second goal of the week.
Arsenal had plenty of pressure upon them today after three consecutive Premier League defeats but they showed some grit here today. In an attacking sense, the Gunners impressed in the final third but looked shaky at the back- though they gradually grew into the game, though Cech had to make a number of crucial saves.
Watford's turning point was undoubtably the missed penalty from Deeney as that could have provided the platform for a turnaround. They missed some big chances during the game too and Javi Gracia must wait for his first away victory in the Premier League.
Arsenal have the win they were desperate for and they head into the second-leg against AC Milan on Thursday following two rejuvenating performances. They now have three weeks without a Premier League match, before hosting relegation threatened Stoke City at the start of April.
Watford face another daunting away trip before the international break, as they face Liverpool at Anfield next weekend, before a series of winnable matches against Bournemouth, Burnley, Huddersfield and Crystal Palace in April.
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