• ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale, 7 - The Arsenal goalkeeper was threatened with a frantic finish after being untroubled in the opening 45 minutes but - aside from a single scare when he misjudged the path of the ball - he never really looked like being beaten. Reuters
    ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale, 7 - The Arsenal goalkeeper was threatened with a frantic finish after being untroubled in the opening 45 minutes but - aside from a single scare when he misjudged the path of the ball - he never really looked like being beaten. Reuters
  • Takehiro Tomiyasu, 7 - Excellent value for his clean sheet. Produced a couple of vital interventions and was a crucial presence as Arsenal were forced to absorb some late pressure. An assured display. AFP
    Takehiro Tomiyasu, 7 - Excellent value for his clean sheet. Produced a couple of vital interventions and was a crucial presence as Arsenal were forced to absorb some late pressure. An assured display. AFP
  • Ben White, 8 - Caught in possession on one occasion, but otherwise solid. Carried Arsenal up the field at times and created the scoring opportunity for Emile Smith Rowe with another charging run. Getty
    Ben White, 8 - Caught in possession on one occasion, but otherwise solid. Carried Arsenal up the field at times and created the scoring opportunity for Emile Smith Rowe with another charging run. Getty
  • Gabriel, 7 - Proved to be a defensive rock once again as he hurled himself in front of a late Josh King strike. Almost capped a good performance with a goal at the other end, but his smart header was well saved by Ben Foster. Getty
    Gabriel, 7 - Proved to be a defensive rock once again as he hurled himself in front of a late Josh King strike. Almost capped a good performance with a goal at the other end, but his smart header was well saved by Ben Foster. Getty
  • Nuno Tavares, 7 - Like White, he provided a key outlet and showed plenty of composure and energy. Gave the visitors plenty to think about with several bursts forward on the left-hand side. Reuters
    Nuno Tavares, 7 - Like White, he provided a key outlet and showed plenty of composure and energy. Gave the visitors plenty to think about with several bursts forward on the left-hand side. Reuters
  • Bukayo Saka, 7 - Made himself a tricky customer on the right. Linked up well with Martin Odegaard and Smith Rowe and provided a couple of frightening bursts into the box, along with some inviting crosses. EPA
    Bukayo Saka, 7 - Made himself a tricky customer on the right. Linked up well with Martin Odegaard and Smith Rowe and provided a couple of frightening bursts into the box, along with some inviting crosses. EPA
  • Albert Sambi Lokonga, 7 - He seemed to be involved in battles all over the pitch. Wrestled off the ball by Juraj Kucka who went close, but saw a decent strike of his own kept out by Foster. Getty
    Albert Sambi Lokonga, 7 - He seemed to be involved in battles all over the pitch. Wrestled off the ball by Juraj Kucka who went close, but saw a decent strike of his own kept out by Foster. Getty
  • Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 8 - Replaced the injured Thomas Partey in the starting XI and produced an excellent display. Showed superb vision to pick out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette with a couple of exquisite passes. Getty
    Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 8 - Replaced the injured Thomas Partey in the starting XI and produced an excellent display. Showed superb vision to pick out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette with a couple of exquisite passes. Getty
  • Emile Smith Rowe, 8 - The difference yet again. The talented midfielder continued a fine season so far with another sparkling display in the middle and it was his composed finish that settled the game. Reuters
    Emile Smith Rowe, 8 - The difference yet again. The talented midfielder continued a fine season so far with another sparkling display in the middle and it was his composed finish that settled the game. Reuters
  • Alexandre Lacazette, 7 - Led the line well and was a constant nuisance, but he just couldn’t find that goalscoring touch. Persistently fouled by Danny Rose who somehow escaped a booking. Reuters
    Alexandre Lacazette, 7 - Led the line well and was a constant nuisance, but he just couldn’t find that goalscoring touch. Persistently fouled by Danny Rose who somehow escaped a booking. Reuters
  • Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 5 - Fluffed his lines, missed a penalty and made sure Martin Odegaard’s effort wouldn’t count when he got an unnecessary touch on the midfielder’s goal-bound shot. Getty
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 5 - Fluffed his lines, missed a penalty and made sure Martin Odegaard’s effort wouldn’t count when he got an unnecessary touch on the midfielder’s goal-bound shot. Getty
  • SUBS: Martin Odegaard (on for Lacazette, 69’), 7 - The Norwegian made a real impact from the bench and he was only denied a deserved goal by the studs of Aubameyang with the latter in an offside position. Getty
    SUBS: Martin Odegaard (on for Lacazette, 69’), 7 - The Norwegian made a real impact from the bench and he was only denied a deserved goal by the studs of Aubameyang with the latter in an offside position. Getty
  • Mohamed Elneny (on for Smith Rowe, 86’), N/A - Provided some extra protection for the Arsenal back line and made a couple of important challenges. Gabriel Martinelli (on for Saka, 90’), N/R - Introduced in stoppage-time. Caused problems with his pace on the right which helped run the clock down. Reuters
    Mohamed Elneny (on for Smith Rowe, 86’), N/A - Provided some extra protection for the Arsenal back line and made a couple of important challenges. Gabriel Martinelli (on for Saka, 90’), N/R - Introduced in stoppage-time. Caused problems with his pace on the right which helped run the clock down. Reuters
  • WATFORD RATINGS: Ben Foster, 8 - Rescued his side with a brilliant penalty save to thwart Aubameyang and he produced another excellent stop with his feet to keep out Gabriel’s downward header, before later beating away a vicious effort from Lokonga. EPA
    WATFORD RATINGS: Ben Foster, 8 - Rescued his side with a brilliant penalty save to thwart Aubameyang and he produced another excellent stop with his feet to keep out Gabriel’s downward header, before later beating away a vicious effort from Lokonga. EPA
  • Kiko Femenia, 6 - Took Watford into Arsenal territory for the first time with a burst down the right-hand side and asked a question with an intelligent lifted cross that was scooped away by Ramsdale in the 85th minute. EPA
    Kiko Femenia, 6 - Took Watford into Arsenal territory for the first time with a burst down the right-hand side and asked a question with an intelligent lifted cross that was scooped away by Ramsdale in the 85th minute. EPA
  • Craig Cathcart, 5 - Provided some vital experience, but it was a long afternoon for the defender who struggled against the pace of Arsenal and was withdrawn for the final couple of minutes. Reuters
    Craig Cathcart, 5 - Provided some vital experience, but it was a long afternoon for the defender who struggled against the pace of Arsenal and was withdrawn for the final couple of minutes. Reuters
  • Nicolas Nkoulou, 5 - One of five Watford players recalled to the starting XI. Was tasked with managing the power of Lacazette and the energy of Saka and struggled to do so on only his second start of the campaign. EPA
    Nicolas Nkoulou, 5 - One of five Watford players recalled to the starting XI. Was tasked with managing the power of Lacazette and the energy of Saka and struggled to do so on only his second start of the campaign. EPA
  • Danny Rose, 4 - The former Tottenham man will have been desperate to end Arsenal’s unbeaten run, but he almost had the opposite effect when he needlessly clattered into Lacazette in the penalty area. Getty
    Danny Rose, 4 - The former Tottenham man will have been desperate to end Arsenal’s unbeaten run, but he almost had the opposite effect when he needlessly clattered into Lacazette in the penalty area. Getty
  • Moussa Sissoko, 5 - Unable to dictate in the middle. The former Spurs man struggled to get on the ball and he was one of many to see yellow for persistent fouling in the second half. Reuters
    Moussa Sissoko, 5 - Unable to dictate in the middle. The former Spurs man struggled to get on the ball and he was one of many to see yellow for persistent fouling in the second half. Reuters
  • Ozan Tufan, 6 - Enjoyed a rare spell of possession for the first time in the 16th minute when he found space on the left. Clipped White just past the half-hour mark as Watford continued to break up the play with a physical performance. EPA
    Ozan Tufan, 6 - Enjoyed a rare spell of possession for the first time in the 16th minute when he found space on the left. Clipped White just past the half-hour mark as Watford continued to break up the play with a physical performance. EPA
  • Juraj Kucka, 4 - Booked for clattering into the back of Lacazette having already shown his frustrations in an early tussle with Lokonga. Went close when his effort was deflected wide by White, only to see red late on for a second bookable offence. Getty
    Juraj Kucka, 4 - Booked for clattering into the back of Lacazette having already shown his frustrations in an early tussle with Lokonga. Went close when his effort was deflected wide by White, only to see red late on for a second bookable offence. Getty
  • Ismaila Sarr, 5 - The pacey winger has been in fine form this season, but he lacked opportunities, although he’ll feel he was fouled in the build-up to the Arsenal goal. Reuters
    Ismaila Sarr, 5 - The pacey winger has been in fine form this season, but he lacked opportunities, although he’ll feel he was fouled in the build-up to the Arsenal goal. Reuters
  • Emmanuel Dennis, 7 - Probably Watford’s biggest threat. Plenty of trickery and tenacity from the 23-year-old, but he gave away a couple of fouls in dangerous areas at the other end. EPA
    Emmanuel Dennis, 7 - Probably Watford’s biggest threat. Plenty of trickery and tenacity from the 23-year-old, but he gave away a couple of fouls in dangerous areas at the other end. EPA
  • Joshua King, 7 - Grew into the game in the second half and caused a few problems, but his best chance saw him fire into the side netting from a tight angle. Reuters
    Joshua King, 7 - Grew into the game in the second half and caused a few problems, but his best chance saw him fire into the side netting from a tight angle. Reuters
  • SUBS: Joao Pedro (on for Tufan, 62’), 6 - Did well to outmuscle White only to be harshly penalised and he picked out King with some more good play on the left, but his effort was blocked by Gabriel. Reuters
    SUBS: Joao Pedro (on for Tufan, 62’), 6 - Did well to outmuscle White only to be harshly penalised and he picked out King with some more good play on the left, but his effort was blocked by Gabriel. Reuters
  • Cucho Hernandez (on for Dennis, 74’), N/A - A 20-minute cameo for the Colombian but he was unable to make his mark on this one. Ashley Fletcher (on for Cathcart, 90’), N/A - Introduced the final couple of minutes but he had barely any time to rescue a point. Reuters
    Cucho Hernandez (on for Dennis, 74’), N/A - A 20-minute cameo for the Colombian but he was unable to make his mark on this one. Ashley Fletcher (on for Cathcart, 90’), N/A - Introduced the final couple of minutes but he had barely any time to rescue a point. Reuters

Sport

Football

Arsenal v Watford ratings: White 8, Smith Rowe 8; Kucka 4, Foster 8

Arteta celebrates 100th game in charge of Gunners with victory at the Emirates Stadium

Liam Wheeler

November 08, 2021

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Arsenal climbed to fifth in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory against 10-man Watford on Sunday, making it a memorable day for Mikel Arteta on his 100th game as Gunners manager.

Emile Smith Rowe broke the deadlock in the second half after Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster had kept the hosts at bay. Juraj Kucka was dismissed late on at the Emirates Stadium, making Arsenal's job easier.

The three points mean Arsenal, unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions, moved ahead of Brighton and Manchester United.

However, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang endured a poor day, missing his second-successive penalty. But Arteta said the Gunners captain will remain on spot-kick duty.

"He will stay on penalties if he is happy to do so," Arteta said.

"You will miss if you take penalties, that is part of your career and the job and we will try to help him."

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the picture gallery above.

Updated: November 08, 2021, 2:42 AM
Premier LeagueArsenal