Arsenal are only three points from the second-placed Manchester City. Yes, it’s true, the Gunners are undefeated since August and have a 10 games unbeaten run with only two draws in all competition, and after a minimal 1-0 win over Watford, they are fifth at the Premier League table. Aston Villa, Leeds, Burnley, and now Watford were all defeated for the fourth win in a row and coach Arteta is off the pressure, after a dreadful start of the season.54 – In his 100th match in charge of Arsenal in all competitions, Mikel Arteta has earned his 54th win – the only manager in the club’s history to pick up more wins than the Spaniard from their first 100 games at the helm is George Graham (56). Building. pic.twitter.com/EJRpGuq5qo— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 7, 2021 “‘I like it, I like it… Saka and Emile Smith Rowe!’ sang Arsenal fans to the tune of the famous Status Quo song ‘Rockin’ All Over The World’ during and after the match with Watford, and that gives you a clear indication who were home team’s best players in this match. Watford haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last 20 Premier League games, and they conceded another one here and really had only one good chance during the whole match. If it wasn’t for keeper Foster, the score would have certainly been higher.Saka’s 7th-minute goal was disallowed after a WAR check, but the Gunners continued to attack and keep the pressure on Watford. Finally, after a bad challenge from Spurs ex Danny Rose on Lacazette, a penalty was awarded, but Aubameyang’s poor shot was saved by Ben Foster. Former England international had another great save at the end of the first half when he saved Gabriel’s close-range shot with his feet. The only real chance for the visitors came in stoppage time, but Kucka’s shot was saved by Ramsdale.Arsenal kept attacking in the second half and Aubameyang was again denied, this time by WAR, as he was offside in the 73rd minute. Luckily for Arsenal fans, by the time the goal was denied, the Gunners were already up by one goal. White somehow ended deep in Watford’s half and one of the defenders took the ball away, but it only fell to Smith-Rowe, who took a precise shot from 16 meters into the bottom corner for the lead.Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta estimated that Watford won’t be able to score and decided to change Lacazette in the 70th minute and strengthen the midfield with Odegaard, and he proved to be right. But he was nearly punished at the end of the match when a steady Ramsdale made a horrible misjudgment and misses the ball completely, but King was too narrow to score. After that, the guests only managed to receive one red card (second yellow for Kucka) and that was it.PREMIER LEAGUE – Round 11FridaySouthampton – Aston Villa 1-0 (1-0)/Armstrong 3/SaturdayMan.Utd – Man.City 0-2 (0-2)/Bailly 7 og, Silva 45/Brentford – Norwich 1-2 (0-2)/Henry 60 – Normann 6, Pukki 29 pen/Chelsea – Burnley 1-1 (0-1)/Havertz 33 – Vydra 80/Crystal Palace – Wolverhampton 2-0 (0-0)/Zaha 61, Gallagher 78/Brighton – Newcastle 1-1 (1-0)/Trossard 24 pen – Hayden 66/SundayArsenal – Watford 1-0 (0-0)/Smith-Rowe 56)Everton – Tottenham 0-0Leeds – Leicester 1-1 (1-1)/Raphinha 26 – Barnes 28/19.30: (4.50) West Ham (3.80) Liverpool (1.85)***odds are subject to change
