Arsenal thump Watford at the Emirates

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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Arsenal beat Watford 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon in their Premier League encounter, writes DEAN WORKMAN.

Arsenal were desperate to get back to winning ways after a dismal run of form and the Gunners got off to the perfect start. With just eight minutes gone, Arsenal were awarded a free kick, which was swung into the danger area by Mesut Ozil, where Shkodran Mustafi did well to lose his marker and comfortably found the back of the net with a well-placed header.

Arsene Wenger’s men were in control of the game and could have been out of sight if it were not for Orestis Karnezis in the Watford goal; the keeper produced two crucial saves to deny Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

It was 1-0 at the break and, despite Arsenal pressure, Watford were still in the game.

Just as in the first half, Arsenal got off to a fast start. On 59 minutes, Henrikh Mkhitaryan picked up a loose ball, drove forward and played through a well-timed ball to Aubameyang who rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Javi Gracia’s men then had a golden chance to get back into the game when, on 61 minutes, Ainsley Maitland-Niles brought down Roberto Pereyra inside the Arsenal box and a penalty was awarded to the away side. The pantomime villain for the day, Troy Deeney, stepped up to the spot but was denied by a great save from Arsenal keeper Petr Cech.

The points were then secured as Mkhitaryan got his name on the score sheet with 77 minutes gone. Ozil was set through down the left wing and his low cross was fumbled by Karnezis and fell to Aubameyang, who teed up the Armenia international for his first Arsenal Premier League goal.

Arsenal claimed an important three points as Arsene Wenger looks to win back the supporters of the North London club.

Picture: Nigel French / Backpagepix