Watford missed a number of fine second-half chances as two late goals from Arsenal secured all three points for Unai Emery's side.
2018/2019 Premier League
2-0
Match Events
Arsenal struck twice in the final 10 minutes to see off a spirited Watford 2-0 at Emirates Stadium on Saturday and register a fifth consecutive Premier League win.
Unai Emery's side were second best to the Hornets for much of the second half and were indebted to Premier League debutant Bernd Leno – who replaced the injured Petr Cech on the stroke of half-time – for two fine stops.
That gave them the platform to win the game late on as Craig Cathcart's own goal in the 81st minute put them ahead and then Mesut Ozil's strike two minutes later secured all three points.
After an impressive start to the season – which saw them win their opening four games – Watford have now gone three without a win and are in danger of slipping down the Premier League table.
10' CHANCE! Hughes' shot wide out
MISS! There's muted reaction from the crowd but it's a big miss for Watford that should put the visitors ahead. Holebas looks up from deep, finds Deeney whose cushioned header is perfect for Hughes, and he fires wide from 18 yards when totally unmarked.
15' Lacazette wastes a golden chance
WHAT A MISS! Oh wow, Lacazette. Oh dear, oh dear. Cathcart tries to pass it back under pressure from the Frenchman but misses the ball and lets him in, and through on goal he dinks it wide of Foster's right-hand post.
38' CHANCE! Xhaka's long shot saved
SAVE! Arsenal keep the pressure on, pushing forward again from a Watford clearance, and when Bellerin's cross is cleared Xhaka takes aim first-time from 20 yards and forces Foster into a full-length save. The midfielder has been Arsenal's best player so far. Not too many have turned up.
46' Cech forced off with injury
Cech is down in the Arsenal box. His afternoon is over, it looks like a goal kick just a second ago hurt him - Bernd Leno is on.
51' SAVE! Leno denies Deeney's shot
WHAT A SAVE! Holebas' wicked free-kick is bending, and bending, and straight onto Deeney's toe. He pokes it towards the far corner and Leno gets a big hand to it to put it out for a corner.
74' CLOSE! Success' shot inches wide out
CLOSE! Watford come close again! Xhaka inadvertently gets a touch on the free-kick before it reaches Cathcart, but he gets to the second ball and almost sees it squirm through Leno's legs but the German goalkeeper collapses on the ball.
81' OWN GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Watford (Cathcart)
We do finally have a goal, but it's not one matching the quality of the game. Iwobi's cross is looking for Lacazette but it's the man tracking him who gets a touch on it, as Cathcart's front foot turns it beyond Foster from close-range. Harsh on Watford but Arsenal look like they're about to do it again.
83' GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Watford (Ozil)
Game set and match Arsenal. Watford have had to push forward but they're caught out on the break, and Lacazette's low cross is finishes off by an unmarked Ozil from eight yards.
Line-ups
Arsenal XI: Petr Cech, M. Özil, Nacho Monreal, Aubameyang, Ramsey, Lacazette, Mustafi, G. Xhaka, Bellerín, L. Torreira, Holding
Subs: S. Lichtsteiner, Mkhitaryan, D. Welbeck, B. Leno, Kolasinac, A. Iwobi, M. Guendouzi
Watford XI: Ben Foster, Holebas, Capoue, Deeney, Cathcart, Kabasele, R.Pereyra, A.Gray, Doucouré, Hughes, M.Navarro
Subs: Heurelho Gomes, Mariappa, K.Femenía, Chalobah, Masina, K. Sema, I.Success