Vicarage Road, Watford
Saturday, October 14
12:30 p.m. EDT, 17:30 BST
- Match Officials
- Referee: Neil Swarbrick
- Assistants: Scott Ledger and Adrian Holmes
- 4th Official: Graham Scott
- This Match, Last Year: Watford 1 - 3 Arsenal
- All-Time in All Competitions: 14 Arsenal wins, 11 Watford wins, 1 draw
- Arsenal's League Form: L-L-W-D-W-W
- Watford's League Form: W-D-W-L-W-D
Arsenal Squad News
Out: Mustafi (hamstring,) Coquelin (hamstring,) Cazorla (ankle)
Doubts: Alexis (match fitness,) Kolašinac (hip,) Koscielny (Achilles,) Chambers (hip)
- The worst news out of the international break comes from Germany, where Shkodran Mustafi hurt his hamstring in a meaningless qualifier against Azerbaijan. He'll miss four to six weeks, so eight weeks.
- To make matters worse at the back, doubts remain over Laurent Koscielny, who you may recall will forever be dealing with a chronic Achilles injury, and now Sead Kolašinac has a hip concern.
- Calum Chambers, who might be in line for an appearance if both Mustafi and Koscielny can't play, has been hobbled by a hip injury all season himself and is doubtful.
- So, at the worst, it'll be Nacho Monreal, Per Mertesacker, and Rob Holding.
- In good news, Mesut Özil (knee) and Danny Welbeck (groin) should both be back to full fitness.
- Arsène Wenger was unsure about the status of some of his players as of yesterday's presser, as Alexis Sánchez, for example, had not yet returned from international duty. At least Welbeck could start in his place if he's short of fitness.
- I didn't hear anything about Francis Coquelin's hamstring injury, so I'll assume he's still out.
Watford Squad News
Out: Kaboul (thigh,) Hoban (knee,) Cathcart (knee,) Chalobah (knee,) Success (knee)
Doubts: Carrillo (match fitness,) Prödl (hamstring)
Predicted XI: Gomes, Femenía, Kabasele, Britos, Holebas, Doucouré, Capoue, Carrillo, Cleverley, Richarlison, Gray.
Out: Kaboul (thigh,) Hoban (knee,) Cathcart (knee,) Chalobah (knee,) Success (knee)
Doubts: Carrillo (match fitness,) Prödl (hamstring)
- Sebastian Prödl picked up a hamstring injury on international duty back in September and is about a 25% chance to return to Watford's lineup here.
- André Carrillo is a late return from international duty with Peru and is a doubt in the same way Alexis Sánchez is.
- Younes Kaboul is out with a thigh problem. In September, a specialist determined that surgery was not necessary, but the rehab may be extensive.
- Watford have four players out with knee injuries: Isaac Success will be out for four to six weeks. Tommie Hoban has no timeframe for a return. Nathaniel Chalobah is expected back some time during this calendar year, but it's at least January for Craig Cathcart.
Predicted XI: Gomes, Femenía, Kabasele, Britos, Holebas, Doucouré, Capoue, Carrillo, Cleverley, Richarlison, Gray.
Current Form
- Arsenal rebounded nicely from two losses in August to climb up to fifth in the Premier League table. They trail fourth place Chelsea on goal difference.
- Don't sleep on Watford, though. They are only a point back of Arsenal, sitting eighth in the table. They trail Burnley and Liverpool on goal difference themselves.
- Arsenal are unbeaten across all competitions since their 4-0 loss at Liverpool, but they still have not scored a goal away from home in the Premier League this season.
- Watford have only lost one league game so far this season, but it was by six goals at home to Manchester City. So, you can see why they might trail on goal difference.
Match Facts
- Arsenal and Watford split their league meetings last season, with each side winning away from home.
- Arsenal won 3-1 at Vicarage Road last August. Santi Cazorla put Arsenal ahead from the penalty spot within two minutes and the Gunners led 3-0 at halftime. Watford pulled a goal back on 57 minutes, but that ended the scoring.
- Watford returned the favor at the Emirates in January, taking a 2-0 lead inside a quarter of an hour. Alex Iwobi pulled a goal back on 58 minutes, but the Gunners could not find an equalizer.
- Overall, Arsenal's record against Watford is mixed; in 19 league encounters, both sides have won nine with one draw.
The Referee
- The referee is Lancashire-based Neil Swarbrick.
- This is the first time Arsenal have seen Swarbrick this year.
- Last year, Swarbrick worked only two Arsenal matches, both against West Brom. Arsenal won 1-0 at the Emirates and lost 3-1 at the Hawthorns.
- This is also the first time Watford have seen Swarbrick this year.
- Watford split their matches with Swarbrick last year as well, winning 2-1 over Leicester, but losing 2-0 at Stoke.
Around the League
- Saturday (early): Liverpool v. Manchester United; Anfield, Liverpool
- Saturday: Burnley v. West Ham United; Turf Moor, Burnley
- Saturday: Crystal Palace v. Chelsea; Selhurst Park, London
- Saturday: Manchester City v. Stoke City; Etihad Stadium, Manchester
- Saturday: Swansea City v. Huddersfield Town; Liberty Stadium, Swansea
- Saturday: Tottenham Hotspur v. Bournemouth; Wembley Stadium, London
- Sunday (early): Brighton & Hove Albion v. Everton; American Express Community Stadium, Falmer
- Sunday (late): Southampton v. Newcastle United; St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton
- Monday (night): Leicester City v. West Bromwich Albion; King Power Stadium, Leicester
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John Painting is a contributing writer to the Modern Gooner and sixth planet from the sun. You can follow him on Twitter @zorrocat for information about his many, many moons.
