Watford vs Arsenal Premier League preview: How to watch, lineups, selections & prediction

Arsenal are back in Premier League action for the first time in ten days as they travel to Vicarage Road to face struggling Watford on Sunday. Here is the match preview.

The undoubted benefits of having no European or domestic cup action to contend with comes at a price: boredom. Arsenal having nine and seven day breaks every week between their matches is draining for the supporters.

Beating Wolves in the dramatic fashion they did was the source of unbridled joy, and while it’s been there to savour for all this time, focus quickly shifted towards the next game.

Going through February with nine points from their three games was the perfect beginning to the 17 cup finals that Mikel Arteta spoke about.

Watford vs Arsenal Premier League preview: How to watch, lineups, selections & prediction for Sunday’s afternoon kick-off

Looking at that trio of fixtures, realistically seven points would have constituted a decent haul, so to come away from it in a strong position ahead of facing their training ground rivals was the perfect outcome.

Securing three points in the manner they did mean slip ups against sides fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table can’t be accepted. If Arsenal are to secure a top four finish in the Premier League this season then victories over teams sitting 19th in the table are absolutely paramount.

The Hornets have their 56th new manager this season with the appointment of Roy Hodgson, and will be boosted by their valiant 0-0 draw away at Old Trafford last time out. Any points secured for them are valuable, even if it was a game that Manchester United should have won comfortably.

With just five wins all season, Watford also boast the unwelcome honour of having the worst home record in the entire division. Collecting just seven points at Vicarage Road, including conceding a league high 31 goals in their 13 home outings, this is a fixture where nothing less than three points for Arsenal will suffice.

Like every remaining game this season, this is a big one.

How to Watch on TV

When Is Kick Off? Sunday 6 March
What Time Is Kick Off? 14:00 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Vicarage Road
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports (UK) fuboTV (USA)
Referee? Craig Pawson

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Arsenal Team News vs Watford – Is Takehiro Tomiyasu Fit?

Making the decision to trim the squad down to 20 senior players in the summer had many purposes, with one of those being to create a tighter knit group who knew no matter what they would be involved on matchdays.

The strength and camaraderie of the squad is plain to see, and so far it’s a strategy that has paid off.

There are downsides to it, of course, one of which relates to the injury situation. Arsenal have been managing well with player fitness, apart from Takehiro Tomiyasu. The only notable absence since the window closed has been the right-back, who as soon as he returned from a calf problem suffered a similar injury to his other leg.

As it stands there is no indication that he will be fit, meaning a fourth consecutive start for Cedric is on the horizon. Other than the Japan international, the only question marks were over Emile Smith Rowe. However, he has recovered from sickness.

In terms of the hosts, Hodgson has a near clean bill of health as far as his squad is concerned, with only a couple of long-term injuries to contend with.

Midfielder Peter Etebo and forward Kwadwo Baah have both been out since September and November respectively.

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Arsenal Predicted Lineup to Face Watford – Smith Rowe or Martinelli?

Watford: Foster; Ngakia, Cathcart, Samir, Kamara; Sissoko, Louza, Cleverley; Sarr, Dennis, King

Arsenal: Ramsdale; Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Lacazette, Smith Rowe

Watford vs Arsenal Score Prediction

One side has one won of their last ten Premier League matches, while the other has lost just two of their previous ten. No points awarded for guessing who is who.

When Hodgson was appointed it was no secret what his primary task was. This is a Watford side leaking goals for fun, have conceded the most at home in the division, and the second most of all 20 sides in the Premier League this season.

While his six games in charge have seen the Hornets let in eight – four of those coming in a single fixture – any changes he’s made have also come at the expense of attacking threat. Scoring just twice across those six matches, this is a team in free fall and crying out to be picked off.

All of which is a long-winded way of saying Arsenal should be winning. And, you’ve got to be a believer in the truly unexpected to predict any differently.

The Gunners are bursting full of confidence, have shown they’re capable of creating chances against the most stubborn low blocks in the division, and are well aware of the importance of picking up points against the struggling sides.

It can only be a win, right? Especially with the form Martin Odegaard is in.

Score Prediction: Watford 1-4 Arsenal