Mistakes from Sokratis and David Luiz saw Arsenal squander a two-goal lead as Watford earned a 2-2 draw in Quique Sanchez Flores' first game back in charge at Vicarage Road.
2019/2020 Premier League
2-2
Match Report
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's deadly finishing, in the absence of the injured Alexandre Lacazette, looked to have steered Arsenal to victory after the Gabon international netted twice in 11 first-half minutes to take his tally to five in five Premier League games this season.
Unai Emery's men took the lead when Will Hughes was bundled off the ball and Aubameyang finished off a fast break with a cool finish, and the second arrived soon after courtesy of an astute Mesut Ozil through ball.
But Arsenal came under heavy pressure in the opening stages of both halves of an entertaining encounter and Watford pulled one back after a calamitous pass from Sokratis allowed Tom Cleverley a chance that he buried with aplomb.
David Luiz conceded a penalty nine minutes from time that substitute Roberto Pereyra confidently converted.
Arsenal, who came from behind to draw 2-2 with Tottenham in their last outing, are now winless in three Premier League games, while Sanchez Flores doubled Watford's points tally for the season by guiding them to a draw.
Player Ratings
Match Events
6' CLOSE! Leno denies Deulofeu's effort
Deulofeu drifts in from the left and curls a right-footed shot towards the far post, but Leno claims it easily enough after a slight fumble.
11' SAVE! Leno parries Cleverley's long-shot
Cleverley unleashes a rasping right-footed drive at goal which Leno does well to tip over for a corner over on the right side.
21' GOAL! Watford 0-1 Arsenal (Aubameyang)
One chance is all Aubameyang needs! Arsenal win the ball on the half-way line, Kolasinac drives forward and finds Aubameyang in a pocket of space at the edge of the area.
He controls brilliantly, spins and pokes it into the bottom-left corner with his right foot.
32' GOAL! Watford 0-2 Arsenal (Aubameyang)
Ozil plays a lovely pass in behind for Maitland-Niles on the right, he fires the ball in low and Aubameyang is on hand to tap it in at the back post.
53' GOAL! Watford 1-2 Arsenal (Cleverley)
Watford have pressed Arsenal really well from goal kicks, and this time Sokratis' pass to Guendouzi is intercepted by Deulofeu.
He can't control it but it comes to Cleverley at the edge of the area, and the midfielder sweeps a low shot under Leno.
81' Penalty Goal! Watford 2-2 Arsenal (Pereyra)
Penalty to Watford! Arsenal go close through Torreira at one end but Watford break and Luiz brings down Pereyra right on the edge of the area!
Pereyra steps up calmly and rolls the ball into the bottom-left corner with Leno going the other way. 2-2 now!
83' AGAIN! Deulofeu's shot wide out
Femenia crosses from the right, and it breaks for Deulofeu over on the left. He shoots right-footed but, for what seems like the fifth time in this second half, bends it just wide of the far post.