Under the new guidance of Italian gaffer, Walter Mazzarri, Watford are yet to hit the ground running, earning themselves a opening day draw with Southampton before narrowing losing at home to Chelsea. The Italian manaher has quickly set up a 3-5-2 tactical formation that is so renowned in his native country, reminiscent of his formation in his Napoli days.

Watford has a shambolic record against Arsenal in the league, losing all six games when both sides met. However, they ran out as 2-1 winners when they visited the Emirates in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup last season. Their last win over Arsenal came as far back as 1988, when Rick Holden scored a lone goal for the Hornets.

Arsenal hasn’t started the campaign as well as they would have hoped with just one point from their first two games. Arsene Wenger’s worst start as Arsenal manager came in the 2011/12 season where his side amassed a meager two points from a possible nine before hitting the ground running and finishing the campaign in third place.

Watford Team News

The team would be spurred by the new signings, Daryl Janmaat, Younes Kaboul and Roberto Pereyra but you would expect to see more of them after the international break. Mazzarri fielded a make-shift squad that suffered a shock home defeat to lowly Gillingham, so you would expect the big guns to come to the party when Arsenal comes around.

Watford Injuries / Suspensions

Brice Dja Djedje (foot)

Watford Predicted Lineup

Arsenal Team News

According to the boss, Olivier Giroud is still a ‘little fraction physically behind’, which means that there is a likelihood for Alexis Sanchez to retain his place as a center forward. The manager remains optimistic about the fitness of Alex Iwobi and Aaron Ramsey with the duo scheduled to return after the international break. There is some ‘good news’ on Gabriel Paulista’s ankle injury, as the boss has confirmed he would be back in six weeks.

Arsenal Injuries / Suspensions

Per Mertesacker, Carl Jenkinson, Danny Welbeck (knee), Alex Iwobi (thigh), Aaron Ramsey (hamstring), Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud, Serge Gnabry (lack of match fitness)

Arsenal Predicted Lineup

Team Form

Watford

• Last Five Games: W L L D L
• Last Result: Watford 1-2 Chelsea
• Leading Goalscorer: Etienne Capoue (2)

Arsenal

• Last Five Games: W W W L D
• Last Result: Leicester 0-0 Arsenal
• Leading Goalscorer: Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Calum Chambers (1)

Gooner Daily predicts a 2 – 0 win for Arsenal.

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