Unai Emery’s team defeated
Napoli in midweek in the Europa League, 2-0. They must now face off with a
well-rested Watford that haven’t played since last Sunday.
Watford advanced
to the FA Cup Final with a dramatic come from behind win over Wolverhampton
Wanderers in the semifinal.
Gerard
Deulofeu’s two goals led Watford back from the brink of elimination. However,
the Spanish winger could miss out on Monday night’s game due to an ankle
injury.
The Watford
winger could be joined by full-backs Jose Holebas and Kiko Femenia. The duo is
suffering from knocks that have them listed as ‘slight doubts’ currently.
If Holebas and
Femenia cannot go, Arsenal wide players could have a field day at Vicarage
Road. Emery will deploy speedster Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the wing. The
Gabon international has scored 17 goals this term.
Mesut Ozil found
a place in Emery’s team against Napoli at the weekend. The German also scored a
second half goal against Watford when the teams met back in September
Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny returned to the team
against Napoli following time off due to injury. Koscielny’s absence left a
large hole in Arsenal’s defence and they missed him in last week’s loss at
Goodison Park.
While Koscielny
should take his place in the centre of defence, midfielder Granit Xhaka is
expected to miss out through injury. The Swiss international hasn’t played
since returning from the international break.
Since Watford
returned to the Premier League in 2016, they have defeated
Arsenal twice in six meetings. Each game between the clubs has ended in over
2.5 goals except for one. Their only match to finish in under 2.5 goals
occurred earlier this term.
In three of
their six meetings since 2016, Arsenal have kept three clean sheets.
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