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 - 3 Arsenal
69 mins: The next Arsenal corner is headed out of the box but recovered by the visitors. Saka receives the ball on the right side and chips it across to Ben White in the box. He’s got time to take a touch and then flick the ball towards goal but leaves Ben Foster with a very easy save.
Watford 1 - 3 Arsenal
66 mins: Arsenal win a corner and take their time setting it up. Cedric Soares curls the set piece in towards Gabriel but Craig Cathcart beats him in the air and heads it behind for another corner.
Watford 1 - 3 Arsenal
61 mins: Imran Louza is taken off by Roy Hodgson and gets replaced by Edo Kayembe. The Watford fans aren’t happy with that swap and voice there disappointment around the ground.
Watford 1 - 3 Arsenal
58 mins: Cedric Soares picks up the first yellow card of the game for a lunging tackle on Joao Pedro. Kiko Femenia flicks the ball over the top and plays Cucho Hernandez into the right side of the box. He pulls it back to Emmanuel Dennis and the Watford striker sees his effort blocked by Ben White!
Watford 1 - 3 Arsenal
55 mins: Chance! Ramsdale tries to clear his lines under pressure from Emmanuel Dennis and ends up giving it straight to Joao Pedro. Pedro knocks the ball into the box for Dennis who rolls it across to Tom Cleverly allowing the midfielder to strike a first time shot at goal. Ramsdale closes the gap at the near post and gets behind the shot as it comes in, clinging onto the ball and smothering it for Arsenal.
GOAL! Watford 1 - 3 Arsenal (Martinelli, 52’)⚽️
52 mins: Another great finish from Arsenal! A loose pass from Louza knocks the ball out of play and Saka takes a quick throw in to send Cedric bombing down the inside right channel. He squares the ball to Odegaard who dinks it over to Lacazette just inside the box. He lays it off first time to Martinelli who runs onto the ball and guides his effort straight into the far left-hand corner!
Watford 1 - 2 Arsenal
51 mins: There’s a coming together between Ben White and Cucho Hernandez with the Watford forward dropping to the ground claiming an elbow to the face. White look bemused and the referee is comes over to cool the situation down. There really wasn’t much to that and Hernandez tried to buy a free kick on the edge of the Arsenal box.
Watford 1 - 2 Arsenal
48 mins: Cedric Soares makes a sliding challenge deep in his own half and knocks the ball out for a Watford corner. The ball is throw to Tom Cleverly who whips a cross into the box and sends it straight into the hands of Aaron Ramsdale.
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