ARSENAL are taking on Watford at the Emirates today looking to make it eight Premier League matches unbeaten.
The Gunners had the ball in the net early through Saka but VAR spotted an offside, before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyand saw his penalty saved by Ben Foster.
But Emile Smith Rowe has popped up with a crucial goal for the home side.
- TV channel: Sky Sports Premier League
- Live stream: Sky Go/NOW TV
- Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tavares, Maitland-Niles, Sambi, Smith Rowe, Saka, Aubameyang, Lacazette.
- Watford XI: Foster, Kino, N’Koulou, Cathcart, Rose, Sissoko, Tufan, Kucka, Sarr, Dennis, King.
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CONTROVERSIAL WINNER
Claudio Ranieri’s anger stems from an incident in the build-up to the game’s only goal in which Albert Sambi Lokonga went in hard on Ozan Tufan, leaving him injured in the centre of the pitch. With his teammate down and in need of treatment, Danny Rose kicked the ball out for a throw-in; a throw-in that Arsenal did not return to the visitors. Instead, the Gunners kept possession, played on and eventually scored through Emile Smith Rowe – albeit after an another dubious challenge from Ainsley Maitland-Niles on Ismaila Sarr.
FT: ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
Arsenal are up to fifth in the Premier League thanks to Emile Smith Rower’s second half winner in what was Mikel Arteta’s 100th game in charge. Watford slip to 17th, and ended a scrappy contest with ten men after Jurak Kucka’s late dismissal for a second bookable offence. Claudio Ranieri was not happy at full time and made his feelings known to his counterpart as they went to shake hands on the touchline.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FULL TIME WHISTLE IS BLOWN!
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
90+4. Arsenal eat up some valuable seconds thanks to some trickery from substitute Gabriel Martinelli by the corner flag.
The Brazilian has only just come on for Bukayo Saka.
Meanwhile, Watford have thrown on another forward in Ashley Fletcher. Defender Craig Cathcart has gone off.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
90+1. Foster with the stop! The Watford goalkeeper again shows strong hand to push away Sambi Lokonga’s blaster after the Belgian had been teed up by Elneny.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
90. As Odegaard’s curling free-kick clips off the wall to safety, the fourth official signals that there will be six minutes of time added on.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
89. A red card was always likely in this match given the amount of fouls and its overzealous officials, and Juraj Kucka was always the most likely suspect – particularly given Danny Rose’s immunity from punishment.
The Watford midfielder is shown his second yellow after clattering into the rampaging Nuno Tavares just outside of the visitors’ penalty area.
A SECOND YELLOW CARD FOR KUCKA!
WATFORD ARE DOWN TO TEN MEN!ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
87. Smith Rowe is minutes away from being the matchwinner, but he won’t be seeing the game out to its conclusion.
The goalscorer receives a standing ovation as he is withdrawn and replaced by Mohamed Elneny.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
86. Was that the chance?! A mix-up between Ramsdale and White sees the Arsenal goalkeeper failing to connect with a ball sent down the left wing.
It presents King with an open goal albeit from an incredibly tight angle, and it’s no surprise that his first time shot nestles into the side netting.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
85. The visitors pour forward again.
Ramsdale does well to get fingertips on a right wing cross to deny the lurking Joao Pedro, and then gets down low moments later to gather Kucka’s deflected strike.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
83. Another attempt from King, another that’s blocked at close quarters. The Watford forward did well to latch on to Hernandez’s cross into the box.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
82. Inside the final ten minutes, and the shape has started to shift.
For a scrappy game they have controlled for the most part, Arsenal are now dropping deep and the home fans are getting nervous.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
80. Gabriel is the FOURTH Arsenal player to receive a yellow card. The Gunners have only conceded six fouls in the whole game.
The Brazilian is booked for catching Joao Pedro with the follow through of a high boot.
For contrast, Watford have given away 16 free-kicks and have had three players booked.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
78. Gaps are beginning to show in the Watford defence as they go in search of an equaliser.
Smith Rowe almost takes advantage of one such opportunity, but this time is well off target with his curling effort.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
75. Quarter of an hour remaining and it’s time for Claudio Ranieri to make a second switch.
Back from suspension, Emmanuel Dennis’ return is over, and he’s replaced by Juan Hernandez.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
73. The ball is the back of the Watford net…
…but once again it’s not going to count.
Martin Odegaard is furious as it was all his own work, twisting his man one way and then another before striking across Ben Foster.
The substitute’s shot may well have been heading for the far corner too which makes the touch of a clearly offside Aubameyang even more frustrating.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
71. A sight of goal for Watford as King connects with a left-footed volley just outside of the Arsenal area.
It’s blocked by Gabriel, but should act as a reminder to both teams that Watford are still in this contest while it’s 1-0.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
69. Arsenal make their first substitution of the game.
The departing Alexandre Lacazette has not has as much joy as recent games. On comes Martin Odegaard.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
68. Almost! Saka delivers a teasing inswinging cross off of the right wing, and it’s inches away from being met by Aubameyang sliding into the six-yard box.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
66. Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere said at half-time that he wanted to see Ben White step upfield more, and he’s certainly obliged in this period.
Not only did the goal stem from the former Brighton man’s advancement, but he’s also just done similar here to win a free-kick off Joao Pedro.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
64. In breaking the deadlock, Smith Rowe becomes only the fourth Arsenal player under the age of 21 to score in three consecutive Premier League games.
It’s not a bad list he joins either: Nicolas Anelka, Jose Antonio Reyes and Cesc Fabregas are the other names on it.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
62. Here it is. Joao Pedro is on for Ozan Tufan.
The substitute will hope to push forward to offer Josh King support in attack.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
60. Claudio Ranieri won’t have to buy dinner for his team this evening, but he will still believe a point can be rescued here.
The Italian is readying a first change of the game.
ARSENAL 1-0 WATFORD
58. Watford captain Moussa Sissoko really isn’t happy. He believes there was a foul by Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the build-up to Arsenal’s goal.
The midfielder has already been booked, and would probably be advised to keep his protests to a minimum.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
