Match Pack: Arsenal v Watford

By: Watford FC Staff

MATCH INFO

  • Arsenal v Watford
  • Premier League
  • Emirates Stadium (Behind Closed Doors)
  • Sunday July 26, 4pm BST

OFFICIALS

  • Referee: Mike Dean
  • Assistants: Ian Hussin, Darren Cann
  • Fourth Official: James Linington
  • VAR: Lee Mason
  • Assistant VAR: Adrian Holmes

OPPOSITION FORM

The Gunners come into the weekend’s game off the back of a mixed run of form. Like the Hornets, they defeated the champions at home with a resilient defensive performance and ruthlessly capitalised on defensive errors. They defeated Manchester City three days later in the FA Cup semi-final to book their place in the final next weekend. However, the Gunners lost their previous Premier League outing against Aston Villa on Tuesday evening, failing to register a shot on target in the game after making several changes to their starting XI.

TEAM NEWS

Watford will check on the fitness of Étienne Capoue (knock) on Saturday, after the midfielder missed the games against West Ham and Manchester City. Gerard Deulofeu (cruciate ligament), Daryl Janmaat (knee) and Isaac Success (Achilles) remain unavailable.

Arsenal will be without Shkodran Mustafi (hamstring) according to Mikel Arteta, while Calum Chambers (knee), Gabriel Martinelli (knee), Pablo Marí (ankle) and Bernd Leno (knee) also remain sidelined. Mesut Özil and Matteo Guendouzi are available, according to the Gunners boss.

WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?

Hayden Mullins:

“I think we have to try to be as balanced as we can. There could be a number of different things happening on Sunday and I’m sure in one five minutes the table will look different to the other. We need to stay focused on the pitch, focused on what we’re trying to do.

“Once the players cross the line and the game starts, as a professional player a lot of the emotion and what’s going on outside of the game goes away, and you start to focus on your job professionally, both in and out of possession and your set plays.

“We’re going to go out there and we’re going to give everything we’ve got, we’re going to give everything on the pitch, we know that they [the supporters] are going to be there with us, and they’ll be willing us on, and their support is much appreciated.”

Mikel Arteta:

“I’m going to assess the squad, how they’re feeling, how they’ve recovered, and ideally I want to play as strong a team as I can.

“As well, we have to respect that there are a few teams in the relegation battle and we are responsible for that.

“We need to know the responsibility we have towards the other clubs as well and the responsibility we have just wearing that shirt in any game. It has to be to win the football game and prepare.

“Mentally, if you are not ready or your level of implication is not 100 per cent, then you have a problem.”

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall:

  • Won 12, Drawn 2, Lost 17

Last Six:

  • Sep 2019: Watford 2-2 Arsenal (Cleverley, Pereyra) (Premier League)
  • Apr 2019: Watford 0-1 Arsenal (Premier League)
  • Sep 2018: Arsenal 2-0 Watford (Premier League)
  • Mar 2018: Arsenal 3-0 Watford (Premier League)
  • Oct 2017: Watford 2-1 Arsenal (Deeney, Cleverley) (Premier League)
  • Jan 2017: Arsenal 1-2 Watford (Kaboul, Deeney) (Premier League)

GOLDEN FLASHBACK

January 31, 2017 – Arsenal 1-2 Watford

The last time the Hornets won at the Emirates was in 2017, when early goals from Younès Kaboul and Troy Deeney set the Golden Boys on their way to a big victory under Walter Mazzarri. Kaboul opened the scoring after 10 minutes when he drilled a low free-kick from distance past Petr Čech in the Arsenal goal, via a deflection. Étienne Capoue then went on an impressive run, skipping past multiple Gunners defenders only to see his shot saved, but the captain was on his toes to help finish the move off and double the Hornets’ lead. Alex Iwobi pulled a goal back for the hosts just before the hour mark but the Golden Boys stood strong to claim their first ever victory at the Emirates in the Premier League.

PLAYED FOR BOTH

Wilf Rostron

Rostron began his career as a youth player for Arsenal before moving into the first team in 1973. The Englishman spent five years with the Gunners before moving to Sunderland in search of more playing time. The winger signed for Graham Taylor’s Watford side in 1979 and was soon converted into an attacking left-back who scored 22 goals for the Golden Boys over a 10-year spell. Rostron was a vital part of Watford’s most successful season in which the team finished second in the top division and reached the FA Cup final for the first time in the club’s history, only missing out at Wembley due to suspension. He made over 400 appearances for the Hornets in all competitions and was a consecutive winner of the Player of the Season award in 1983 and 1984.

HOW TO FOLLOW

HORNETS HIVE

Watch 'Hornets Hive' on a second screen during the match for exclusive content and Watford-focused punditry. Click HERE for more info.

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