Arsenal predicted lineup vs Watford: Smith Rowe or Martinelli?

Arsenal bring an end to an agonising ten day wait on Sunday as they travel to Vicarage Road to take on Roy Hodgson’s Watford. Here is the predicted lineup.

These gaps between fixtures are not enjoyable. It’s the result of Arsenal leaving themselves with just the Premier League to compete in, and while there are clear upsides to it, from a spectator’s point of view the time drags on.

So how nice of the those in charge to hand Mikel Arteta’s side three games in six days later this month? Indeed. But before then it’s struggling Watford away from home, a game where the manager has a few selection choices to ponder over.

One blow for the side, again, comes in the form of Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Watford: Will Arteta select Emile Smith Rowe or Gabriel Martinelli for Sunday’s Premier League clash at Vicarage Road?

The Japan international has been dealing with niggling calf injuries since December, and having sustained an injury to his other calf this time, he will miss out.

In the forward line is where it gets interesting.

A debate that will rumble on likely for the entire time the pair are at the club together – unless one of them moves to centre-forward – there is a decision to make over whether Emile Smith Rowe or Gabriel Martinelli will get the nod out on the left.

Both are fit and firing with the Gunners’ No. 10 recovering from a stomach bug that kept him out o the Wolves game, so all eyes will be on who gets selected to start by Arteta.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) – It could be a frustrating afternoon for Ramsdale. Watford aren’t a team who like to press high, thus limiting the goalkeeper with what he can do in possession. As for goalmouth action, they don’t score a lot either. The latter point is a welcome one, however.

Cedric Soares (RB) – The best spare wheel in the whole garage? It looks set to be four league games on the trot for Cedric, who is enjoying something of a renaissance in Tomiyasu’s absence.

Benjamin White (CB) – He keeps clocking up the miles this season. No player has featured more than White this season, and you’d back that to remain the case come the final day.

Gabriel (CB) – Following his mistake against Wolves, now is the time for Gabriel to rectify that after a performance of general sloppiness from him.

Kieran Tierney (LB) – With the new system and a more attack-minded full-back on the right, Tierney’s role in the team has changed. He’s still getting to grips with it.

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