Watford v Arsenal ratings: Sissoko 7, Pedro 5; Saka 9, Odegaard 8

Mikel Arteta's Gunners made to fight for victory that keeps them in race for top four

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  WATFORD RATINGS: Ben Foster - 7: No chance with three excellent Arsenal finishes after Watford’s defence had been ripped apart on each occasion. Getty

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  Kiko Femenia - 7: Right-back supplied fine cross to set-up Cucho for his superb leveller. Another perfect ball into box ball in second half should have been finished by Dennis. Crossing was real threat for Watford. Reuters

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  Samir - 5: Struggled with pace and movement of Arsenal’s attacks – as did Watford’s defence as a whole. PA

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  Craig Cathcart - 7: Important block on Martinelli shot just before half-time and Irish defender made a number of other key challenges. AP

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  Hassane Kamara - 5: Arsenal tore down Kamara’s left flank for early goal and he struggled generally with combination of Saka and Soares. Drilled shot over bar in second half. Reuters

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  Moussa Sissoko - 7: Key role in move that led to Cucho’s goal. Should have done better with shot he blazed over from edge of box midway through first half. Did well to bundle past White and finish past Ramsdale to pull late goal back. Getty

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  Imran Louza - 6: Moroccan midfielder saw ambitious free-kick from distance easily saved after 23 minutes. His loose pass out for throw-in resulted in Arsenal scoring their third goal - but Watford fans voiced their disapproval at his second-half substitution. Getty

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  Tom Cleverley - 4: Caught in possession on edge of own box by Saka to help gift Arsenal their second goal. Hit second-half chance straight at Ramsdale after woeful clearance from Gunners keeper. Getty

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  Cucho Hernandez - 7: Brazilian hit sensational overhead-kick to level for Hornets in 11th minute. Ridiculous triple roll across ground after being caught slightly in face by White arm early in second half. Reuters

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  Joao Pedro - 5: Started brightly and denied certain goal by quick reactions of Ramsdale after keeper failed to hold onto initial shot but his influence quickly waned. Getty

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  Emmanuel Dennis - 6: Scored after just 17 seconds but was disallowed for offside. Good piece of skill to beat Gabriel and fire off low shot that Ramsdale saved just before half-hour mark. Awful miss-hit at back post after being teed-up by Femenia in second half. Getty

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  SUBS: Edo Kayembe - (On for Louza 64’) 5: Little impact after coming on. AFP

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  Samuel Kalu - (On for Cleverley 90+1’) N/A.

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  ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale - 5: No chance with Cucho’s stunning finish. Spilled shot from Dennis and had to react quickly to stop Pedro scoring rebound. Lucky not to be punished for two poor clearances in second half. AFP

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  Cedric Soares - 7: Right-back played key role in move for Gunners’ early goal and combined well with Saka throughout. Booked for foul on Pedro. Getty

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  Ben White - 7: Assured performance from former Brighton defender highlighted by one big interception to stop Dennis scoring in second half - but will be disappointed by the way Sissoko bundled past him to score late goal. Reuters

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  Gabriel - 6: Skinned by Dennis in first-half and saw Nigerian attacker sting palms of Ramsdale but that was rare blemish from Brazilian centre-half. Reuters

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  Kieran Tierney - 6: Given run-around by Sissoko ahead of Watford’s equaliser and an unusually quiet game going forward down left flank from Scot. AFP

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  Thomas Partey - 7: Ghanian midfielder Curled strike from outside of box just wide of target in 19th minute. Kept things simple in middle of park. PA

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  Granit Xhaka - 7: Embarrassing attempt at first-time volley in opening half that he shanked high and wide. Usual relentless tackling and work rate. Helped control midfield alongside Partey. AP

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  Bukayo Saka - 9: Lovely exchange of passes with Odegaard before setting up Norwegian’s opener. Scored second himself after picking pocket of Cleverley before unleashing unstoppable finish. His quick throw started move for third. PA

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  Martin Odegaard - 8: Norwegian swept home cool finish to put Gunners in front after five minutes. Barely gave away a pass all afternoon in quality performance. PA

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  Gabriel Martinelli - 7: Quiet first-half down left flank as Arsenal found more joy down opposite side but burst into life just after half-time with excellent first-time finish to put Gunners 3-1 up. AFP

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  Alexandre Lacazette - 7: Clever back-heel from French attacker set up Saka’s first-half goal and another nice touch to supply Martinelli for third. Fluffed chance to make it 4-1 but captain played important role in win. Reuters

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  SUBS: Nicolas Pepe - (On for Martinelli 76’) N/A. Curled one shot harmlessly wide. Reuters

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  Eddie Nketiah - (On for Lacazette 80’) N/A. Hit post with low shot. AFP

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  Rob Holding - (On for Odegaard 90+1’) N/A. Reuters

Bukayo Saka scored one goal and set up another as Arsenal battled past Watford 3-2 on Sunday to remain in Champions League contention.

Martin Odegaard struck early for the visitors, with Saka cutting back to the Norwegian, before Cucho Hernandez equalised with an overhead kick minutes later.

England international Saka put Arsenal back in front at the 30-minute mark before Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli increased the Gunners' lead early in the second half.

A late goal from Moussa Sissoko gave Watford hope but the Gunners held on for victory.

The victory lifted Mikel Arteta's men into fourth place in the Premier League - one point ahead of Manchester United.

After the win, manager Arteta was full of praise for Odegaard's leadership skills.

"He is moving in the right way," Arteta said. "He is the national team captain. He is one of the senior players here, for sure, even at his age, and it comes very natural to him."

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