Emile Smith Rowe sustained a hip injury during his first start in the midweek League Cup win over Brentford and will be assessed. Watford defender Daryl Janmaat is out for six weeks following knee surgery. Christian Kabasele is available after his red card in the League Cup defeat to Tottenham was rescinded on appeal. Troy Deeney will have injections in a bid to play after suffering ankle ligament damage in the draw with Fulham.
Saturday 3pm
Venue Emirates Stadium
Last season: Arsenal 3 Watford 0
Odds H 1-2 A 6-1 D 4-1
Line-Ups
ARSENAL
Subs from Leno, Martínez, Lichtsteiner, Kolasinac, Holding, Guendouzi, Elneny, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Welbeck
Doubtful None
Injured Mavropanos (groin, 20 Oct), Jenkinson (ankle, Nov), Koscielny (achilles, Dec), Maitland-Niles (leg, Dec)
Suspended None
Discipline Y11 R0
Form LLWWWW
Leading scorers Aubameyang, Lacazette 2
WATFORD
Subs from Dahlberg, Gomes, Mariappa, Success, Masina, Femenía, Zeegelaar, Navarro, Quina, Peñaranda, Sema, Chalobah, Wilmot, Kaboul, Deulofeu
Doubtful Deeney (ankle)
Injured Janmaat (knee, Nov), Cleverley (achilles, unknown)
Suspended Kabasele (one match)
Discipline Y13 R0
Form WWWWLD
Leading scorers Gray, Pereyra 3
Head-to-head
- Arsenal have won eight of the 10 Premier League meetings. However, Watford’s two wins have come in the last three matches.
- The Hornets have also won on two of their past four visits to the Emirates in all competitions.
- There has been only one draw in 22 top-flight fixtures between the sides: 1-1 at Highbury 34 years ago.
Arsenal
- Arsenal kept a first clean sheet in seven games in all competitions against Everton last weekend.
- The Gunners have not lost a Saturday 3pm kick-off at home in the league since a 3-1 defeat by Aston Villa in August 2013 (W18, D2).
- They have won 21 consecutive Premier League home fixtures against teams outside of the established top six by an aggregate score of 62-11.
- Arsenal have scored in 34 of their last 36 league games at the Emirates Stadium, only failing to do so in two losses to Manchester City.
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored 12 goals since his Premier League debut in February. Only Mohamed Salah, with 16, has been more prolific in that period.
Watford
- Watford are winless in two league games but their tally of 13 points after six matches is a club top-flight record.
- They have lost 15 of their last 16 Premier League away games against the established top six sides.
- The Hornets are one short of 50 Premier League wins and 200 Premier League goals.
- Daryl Janmaat’s injury means there will be a change to the starting XI for the first time this season in the league.
PREDICTION
I don’t actually think much has changed about Arsenal under Emery – they are a good side, but they were a good side under Arsene Wenger, just not one of the best three teams in the country.
As well as their good results, I like the look of Lucas Torreira in midfield, so there is lots to be encouraged about.
Prediction: 2-0