Arsenal head to Vicarage Road on Sunday to play a winless Watford. The Hornets are one of two Premier League teams not to gain a victory this term. Can they gain all three points against the Gunners?
The international break saw the end of manager Javi Gracia’s tenure at Watford. Following Watford’s poor end to last season and sluggish beginning to this term saw Gracia sacked.
Flores managed Watford during the 2015-16 season. He registered a 36.6%-win rate during his one season at Vicarage Road. He now returns with the aim of overturning Watford’s poor form and getting them off the bottom of the table.
Arsenal are winless in their last two Premier League matches. The Gunners began the season red-hot with back to back wins. However, a loss to Liverpool and draw against Tottenham Hotspur have curbed expectations of a title fight in the first half of the season.
The Gunners have won six of their last nine matches against Watford in all competitions. The last time they lost to Watford was October 2017 at Vicarage Road, 2-1. The Gunners did not travel well last season, but they did pick up an away victory at Watford, 1-0.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored last season against the Hornets away and goes into the weekend with three goals in four matches. The striker has scored 50% of Arsenal’s goals and is good value to score once more.
Summer loan signing Dani Ceballos has tallied two assists which is tied for the second-most in Premier League. Three Arsenal players returned from the international break with injuries, however.
Midfielder Granit Xhaka has an Achilles tendon issue but so far, it hasn’t kept him out of action. The Swiss midfielder has played through the pain thus far and should feature for Arsenal. Fellow midfielder Joe Willock has recovered from a calf injury and should be available for Emery on Sunday.
Lucas Torreira returned from international duty with Uruguay with a muscle injury. He is likely to sit out Arsenal’s trip to Vicarage Road and miss their Europa League match on Thursday night.
Flores could have combative midfielder Etienne Capoue back from injury. However, captain Troy Deeney is unavailable following knee surgery.
Getting set for #WATARS! 👊📸 Check out our full gallery ahead of the return of the @PremierLeague 👇— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 12, 2019
Getting set for #WATARS! 👊📸 Check out our full gallery ahead of the return of the @PremierLeague 👇
Arsenal have defeated Watford to nil in their last three matches. Despite Watford sacking Gracia and re-hiring Flores, expect the result on Sunday to be the same. The Gunners will pick up a win to nil and regain their great form from the start of the season.