Watford vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Latest updates and action from the Premier League clash at Vicarage Road
Arsenal climbed back into the Premier League top four as goals from Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli helped them to a lively 3-2 win over Watford at Vicarage Road.
It was a victory more convincing for the Gunners than the scoreline suggests, as their young attacking players shone to punish a Hornets side that, to their credit, fought gamely until the end.
Emmanuel Dennis had the ball in the net after just 17 seconds but it was ruled out for offside, although a stunning finish from Cucho Hernandez cancelled out Odegaard’s opener and Moussa Sissoko set up a grandstand finish when he reduced the deficit to 3-2 with only a few minutes remaining.
But a draw would have more than the Hornets deserved and their battle against relegation from the Premier League is looking like an increasingly uphill battle.
For their part, the Gunners have their top-four destiny in their own hands and three sublime finishes from Odegaard, Saka and Martinelli – all of whom should have big futures at the Emirates – demonstrated the quality Mikel Arteta can call on as the season reaches the business end.
Relive the Premier League action of Arsenal versus Watford below:
Watford 1 - 1 Arsenal
27 mins: Emmanuel Dennis has been top quality for Watford so far. He’s causing big problems for Arsenal’s back line. Watford are looking good here. Can they get another goal?
Watford 1 - 1 Arsenal
24 mins: The free kick comes to nothing as Imran Louza knocks it straight into the arms of Aaron Ramsdale. Gabriel then boots the ball down the pitch and gives it back to the home side. Sissoko drives it forward down the inside right before passing the ball wide to Emmanuel Dennis. He drives into the box, cuts onto his left foot and shoots forcing Ramsdale into a low diving stop to his right. The Arsenal goalkeeper fumbles the ball and Joao Pedro almost capitalises on the mistake but Cedric beats him to the loose ball and pokes it away!
Watford 1 - 1 Arsenal
21 mins: It’s been very good and open game over these opening 20 minutes or so. The teams have gone toe-to-toe with each other creating chances at both ends of the pitch.
Watford defend a long throw into the box from Thomas Partey and work the ball down the inside left channel before switching it out to the opposite wing. Moussa Sissoko gives it Joao Pedro who leans on Gabriel and wins a free kick just outside the Arsenal box.
Watford 1 - 1 Arsenal
18 mins: Chance! Arsenal whip a cross in from the right wing but Hernandez is back in his own box to head the ball away for Watford. Granit Xhaka keeps the move alive for Arsenal by pressing up the pitch and recovering the ball on the front edge of the box before laying it off to Thomas Partey. He rolls the ball onto his left-foot and curls a decent effort towards the left-hand post but knocks it just wide of the target!
Watford 1 - 1 Arsenal
15 mins: Joao Pedro carries the ball up to the box from the right wing and lays a short pass off to Emmanuel Dennis. He brings the ball into the area and drills a low pass into the six-yard area for Cucho Hernandez but Gabriel blocks the pass and clears the Arsenal lines. It’s a confident start from Watford.
GOAL! Watford 1 - 1 Arsenal (Hernandez, 11’)⚽️
11 mins: What a goal from Watford! Moussa Sissoko brings the ball into the right side of the Arsenal penalty area but can’t pick out a pass into the middle. He lays it off to Emmanuel Dennis who holds up the ball long enough for Kiko Femenia to make an overlapping run. Dennis gives him the ball and the right-back hangs a cross into the middle of the box where Cucho Hernandez hits a perfectly timed scissor kick and beats Aaron Ramsdale at the near post!
Watford 0 - 1 Arsenal
8 mins: Nearly! Arsenal continue their dominance on the ball and send it over to Saka on the right again. He brings the ball down the wing but runs into trouble and has to knock it back to Cedric Soares. Soares curls a teasing cross into the box where Alexandre Lacazette and Granit Xhaka are waiting but the ball just evades both Arsenal players and goes out for a goal kick.
GOAL! Watford 0 - 1 Arsenal (Odegaard, 5’) ⚽️
5 mins: What a start to the game! Arsenal have taken the lead! Since the disallowed Watford goal, the Gunners have took control of the ball. It’s worked over to the right wing where Bukayo Saka passes it into the inside right channel for Martin Odegaard. On the turn he backheels the ball around Hassane Kamara and plays Saka in behind the left-back allowing him to carry the ball into the penalty area. Saka then cuts it back to Odegaard who slots a fine left-footed finish into the far bottom corner!
Watford 0 - 0 Arsenal
Kick off: Disallowed goal! 17 seconds after Watford kick off the game they get the ball into the back of the Arsenal net. The ball is played down the left wing and gets headed into the path of Joao Pedro. He slips a through ball into the box that Emmanuel Dennis latches onto after a run in behind. He opens up the far side of the goal, shoots and scores only to see the offside flag go up on the far side of the pitch!
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