Arsene Wenger registered his 700th win as Arsenal manager in a 3-0 Premier League victory over Watford on Sunday.
Goals
8' GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Watford (Mustafi)
59' GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Watford (Aubameyang)
62' Penalty Missed from Watford's Deeney!
77' GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Watford (Mkhitaryan)
Match Report
Arsenal arrested a run of three consecutive Premier League defeats as Arsene Wenger racked up his 700th win as manager in a 3-0 victory over Watford.
Losses against Tottenham, Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion had formed part of a run of five defeats in six matches in all competitions, before a 2-0 Europa League win at AC Milan on Thursday lifted spirits.
Aaron Ramsey and Laurent Koscielny were rested ahead of this week's return leg against the Rossoneri but Shkodran Mustafi's eighth-minute opener had Arsenal swiftly on the front foot.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled the Gunners’ advantage in the second half, before Troy Deeney – who accused Arsenal lacking "cojones" after scoring a penalty in a 2-1 win for Watford in the reverse fixture in October – saw a spot-kick saved by Petr Cech.
And the victory was sealed for Arsenal in the 77th minute, when Henrikh Mkhitaryan fired in a third from the edge of the box for his first Premier League goal for the Gunners.
Arsenal move to within 10 points of the top four, although the Europa League now appears their most likely route to next season's Champions League.
Despite their impressive win at San Siro on Thursday, thousands of fans opted to stay away, making pockets of red seats visible all around Emirates Stadium.
Those who did turn up were treated to an early goal, with Mustafi heading home from a Mesut Ozil free-kick – Arsenal's 1000th home goal in the Premier League.
Petr Cech did well to block Abdoulaye Doucoure's shot from a Richarlison cutback soon after, before the Brazilian himself forced the goalkeeper into a diving save with a well-taken free-kick, Roberto Pereyra firing over from the rebound.
Ozil, who became the fastest player to reach 50 Premier League assists by setting up Mustafi for the opener, saw a shot blocked by the legs of Orestis Karnezis after 27 minutes, while Richarlison drew another save from Cech with a header before the interval.
The hosts had to wait until just shy of the hour mark to double their advantage, with Mkhitaryan playing a defence-splitting throughball for Aubameyang to round Karnezis and slot home.
Watford's chance to reduce the deficit from the spot came two minutes later, when Ainsley Maitland-Niles clumsily left his body in the path of Pereyra to go tumbling over.
Cech kept out Deeney's effort with a strong hand – a save that will have felt all the sweeter given the striker's disparaging comments earlier in the season.
And the striker was the target of yet more gleeful goading from the Arsenal faithful when Mkhitaryan made sure of the three points with 13 minutes left to play, Karnezis failing to adjust in time to deal with the Armenian's strike.
Line-ups
Arsenal XI: Petr Cech, Holding, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Mkhitaryan, Özil, Iwobi, G.Xhaka, A.M Niles, M.Elneny, Aubameyang
Subs: David Ospina, Chambers, J.Wilshere, Willock, Welbeck, Nelson, Nketiah
Watford XI: Orestis Karnezis, Janmaat, S.Prödl, Mariappa, K.Femenía, Holebas, Doucouré, Capoue, R.Pereyra, Deeney, Richarlison
Subs: Daniel Bachmann, M.Britos, Hughes, A.Carrillo, J.Sinclair, A.Gray, Okaka
Đaiveed ♥
211
Congratulations 🎊 Ozil on reaching your 50th EPL assist your performance today was absolutely amazing!!! you deserved to have scored a gOal... judging by your efforts this won't be your last assist and great performance for the Club... as always great things from A Record Breaking Legend keep it up!!!👏
RosekinDebbarma
122
MKHITARYEN
SalehOsman
68
This is what makes arsenal win always and forever 😂
okangajeff
54
does Wenger now stay or what, this it how it goes down every season
RosekinDebbarma
53
He is the Current Best in ARSENAL SQUAD
LutonLegend
52
For once a terrific performance for the
SyedAhzam
52
finally arsenal win against Watford arsene Wenger is preparing for contract extention for 5 season
khiladisuman
51
congratulations cech for his 200th cleen sheets hope to see more in future😂😌😌😍😍
muhammadsinantr
49
THE WENGER BOYS🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
ajayreddy10
49
Arsenal fans tonight!😂😂
Okonkwo51
49
They can assist each other when they are in good mood 💪💪💪
nahbceorz
46
Mkhtaryian is the guy who know how to play with Aubameyang. I don't know why Ozil doesn't want to release long ball whem Auba is upfront! This guy is fast and he can score more goals for arsenal. Wilshere is useless!
Armathon24
45
First time I've seen Aubamayang and Mkhitharian in form at Arsenal. An assist and Goal each. Mustafi was good too. Scored a goal. Ozil is best. Making chances and giving assist. Congratulations Arsenal! 3 points and sure you will be in top 4 if you perform like this.
seànieboy123
43
wenger not to get sacked like if agree
muhammadsinantr
40
THE ARSENAL ARMY LMAO
dopaknoru
39
Cech the MOTM.
AmitMagar
38
Arsenal is back !! next match wil be very interesting !! lets celebrate this victory😊😊
Yoowanmi
37
With 200 clean sheet Trump can use Cech to build a Wall in the Mexico Border
Barcelona-Arsenal
34
So many landmarks...... 50th ozil assist...... quickest ever to get 50 pl assists 1000th arsenal home goal....... from all sources, mustafi Aubameyang's first flip in an arsenal Jersey.... or at least first that we know of 1st Penalty save by Petr cech for Arsenal....... leading to a greater achievement later on Mkhitaryan gets his first Arsenal EPL goal..... though he hasnt been shy at assisting his teammates at all Arsene gets his 700th win as Arsenal manager..... so does that mean he wants to leave yet? Petr Cech 200th cleansheet..... the ultimate landmark/record today, first epl player to get 200 epl C.S.
MelvinJr10
31
Wenger is the reason for arsenal becoming a big team in the world
nihau
29
its very nice to see the gunners have smiles on their faces and its about time. its now to gain more confidence and the goals will come. now they must carry this momentum into all of their remaining games. there is still a mathematical chance the gunners can finish higher up the table. ( neymar )
Haseeb07
29
Another Good Performance by Arsenal
Kaustubh10
26
lemaikpu
24
we are back
joejoseph9947
19
ONE OF THE BEST COMEBACKS OF ARSENAL ALSO AUBAMAYANG AND OZIL........
Vabblotu
18
Were you watching the real game or following on this site? Arsenal had the better possession
No I meant total possession of the ball. As in the stat that people heavily overrate. Arsenal had about 46% of total possession according to the stats but they made the most of it, showing its not how much possession you have but what you do with it that matters.
jukmrsty
18
I knew they'll come back strong. it happend to all big clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, City and Manu an bad season, but the most interesting is how they come back to their real state. Arsenal remains a great club.
Kuncors
16
omg cech saved a penalty
SamMonisse
13
I will not say Arsenal is come back now but it’s a good start to boost their confidence to continue the winning track. If Arsenal keep the consistency and play like this in all upcoming match they can fight for top 4. But if otherwise happens then they have to concentrate to win Europa. The league is coming to an end left 8 more game to go, everyone will play their best fighting to get the best position in the league. Good game from Arsenal. Forget about ‘Wenger out’ for now and have the teamwork spirit to keep winning. Go Gunners!