Arsenal extended their unbeaten run to eight games after a comfortable 1-0 victory over Watford at the Emirates Stadium.
The in-form ‘Gunners’ had the ball in the back of the net within ten minutes as Bukayo Saka took advantage of some suspect goalkeeping to score. The goal was disallowed moments later as the England international was offside, but the hosts had made a positive start. Mikel Arteta’s men had to bide their time for their next opening which came from the penalty spot. Alexandre Lacazette was flattened by Danny Rose and a spot-kick was awarded, but captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw his effort from 12 yards saved brilliantly by Ben Foster. The veteran shot-stopper has now saved ten penalties in his Premier League career, and he was in action again before HT, making a stunning reflex save to deny Gabriel.
Claudio Ranieri’s side had done well to go into the break with the scores level, but their resistance was broken early in the second half. Ben White broke forward from the back and evaded challenges on his mazy run with the ball eventually dropping to Emile Smith Rowe who stroked the ball beautifully into the bottom corner. The 21-year-old has now scored in three consecutive games and has clearly reacted well since being snubbed for the latest England squad.
Substitute Martin Ødegaard thought he’d doubled his side’s lead, but his goal-bound shot was tapped home by Aubameyang from an offside position, meaning the goal was ruled out. Watford’s afternoon was worsened as Juraj Kucka was dismissed for a reckless challenge in the 90th minute, as the hosts held on to extend their superb record against the ‘Hornets’ – having won the last four Premier League H2H’s. Meanwhile, Ranieri has work to do, as his side’s last six league defeats have seen them fail to score.
