Thank you very much for joining me for this great occasion.
Here is a match report from the lovely Nick Ames.
Join the main man Rob Smyth for West Ham v Liverpool.
Ranieri is having a good old fashioned moan at Arteta about the Arsenal goal, claiming the Gunners should have given them the ball back for some reason or other.
The other results:
Everton 0-0 Spurs
Leeds 1-1 Leicester
Full-time: Arsenal 1-0 Watford
Arsenal were deserved winners but Watford certainly made it into a game, only to struggle creating any real chances. The gap in scoreline would have been bigger if it wasn’t for Foster, too, who comes out of this game with a great deal of credit. Foster was not as busy as Kevin Friend who spent most of the match whistling for fouls.
90+4 mins: Martinelli is on for the final few moments. Saka off.
Watford bring on Fletcher for Cathcart.
90+2 mins: Saka whips in a corner, which is flicked on at the near post. Eventually the ball finds Elneny who lays it off to an onrushing Lokonga to thwack towards goal from 20 yards but it is straight at Foster who fists away.
90 mins: Six minutes added on!
RED CARD: Kucka
89 mins: It’s a second yellow for the Watford man who kicks Tavares up in the air on the edge of Hornets’ box.
88 mins: Ramsdale comes to claim a Hernandez cross to end the danger. Watford have enjoyed some decent pressure without a goal.
86 mins: Ramsdale comes out of his net thinking he will collect a ball over the top inside the box, only the angle means it does not make it into the area, forcing the goalkeeper to go with his feet but the ball and King evade him, gifting the Norwegian a shot at an empty goal; the angle is too right and he can only find the sidenetting.
84 mins: Hernandez finds King in the box, he takes a touch and tries to turn but he cannot roll the defender, allowing Ramsdale to pounce on the ball.
Elsewhere that Lookman goal was ruled out by VAR, so it is still 1-1.
82 mins: Watford a looking to get the ball into the channels for the likes of Sarr and Hernandez to use their pace. Alas, it is not working.
“If Arsenal finish off this 1-nil lead over Watford,” says the wonderfully named Jeff Necessary, “they’ll be in fifth place (and thus Europe) in the table with a goal difference of 0. I’d be curious if there was ever a team qualify for Europe out of the Prem with a goal difference that poor.”
One for The Knowledge.
80 mins: Gabriel takes a poor touch and then almost kicks Joao Pedro in the head, costing him a yellow card.
78 mins: Odegaard pings a perfect pass across the pitch to Tavares who takes a touch and then chips a cross into the box but Watford have the bodies there to clear.
76 mins: Mary Waltz reports on Everton v Spurs: “Neither team has come close to scoring but there has been lot’s of diving, shameless simulation, and petty squabbles with the officials.”
74 mins: NO GOAL! Saka slips a pass to Odegaard, who spins inside the box and sends a shot across goal but it is Aubameyang who slides the ball home, although the striker is a yard offside, so the flag goes up.
Hernandez is on for Dennis.
Updated
72 mins: Rose whips in a free-kick from the right but his delivery is poor and a defender heads clear. The good news for Rose is that he has lasted 72 minutes on the pitch, which is a surprise to everyone.
70 mins: Odegaard replaces Lacazette who gets a standing ovation. Maybe he will get a new contract after all ...
Updated
68 mins: Saka whips in a ball from deep on the right for Aubameyang to attack but it is inches ahead of the striker who cannot get a toe on it, allowing Foster to claim.
“Still 0-0 at Goodison,” Richard Harris points out. “If 5 successive defeats is a sackable offence Rafa is on 3 so lose this and he could be on his way to Villa. Thomas Frank is on 4 with Brentford and Ole has 4 in 5 ...”
Everton’s problems are higher up, I feel.
66 mins: It is not vintage stuff from Arsenal but their defence does not look flustered by anything Watford throw at them, a sign of the improvements made in recent weeks by the Gunners backline.
White goes down and moans about an arm from Joao Pedro. Plenty of needle here.
64 mins: Joao Pedro looks to have slotted in behind King which should give the Norwegian more support, as he has looked very isolated throughout the match.
62 mins: King is on the floor as the foul count for the match reaches 3,839,393. He is on the floor after running into Gabriel. It does not look like much contact was made, so I do not know why he is in so much agony.
Joao Pedro is on for Tufan.
60 mins: It took three minutes for play to restart after the goal. Watford need to pick themselves up and get back into the game.
Elsewhere ... “Over at Elland Road,” says JR, “Jack Harrison has attempted to score from one yard out but missed. You should check it out later. Miss of the season candidate for sure. Considering the way both teams are defending (especially Leeds) there’s no possible way that game is finishing 1-1.”
58 mins: While Arsenal were scoring, Sarr was on the deck after running into a Maitland-Niles. He receives plenty of treatment and has a little moan at the referee but it is not a foul.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Watford (Smith Rowe, 56)
White picks up a loose ball and drives through the Watford midfield until he is tackled on the edge of the box by Sissoko but the ball ends up at the feet of Smith Rowe and he slots it into the corner from 18 yards.
Updated
55 mins: Tavares hits a dangerous cross from the left but it goes over everyone and ends up with Saka on the right, who lays it off to Tomiyasu to hit first time only to see his shot bounce off a Hornet head.
Sissoko is booked for taking down Saka. Lots of bookings for everyone not called Danny Rose.
53 mins: Saka is the latest to try and pick out Smith Rowe but his pass has a little too much on and it bounces into Foster’s arms.
Aubameyang is the latest man to be cautioned for a foul on Femenia.
Sissoko picks out Dennis inside the box, he takes a half decent first touch but follows it up by kicking the ball into the ground, sending it dribbling wide.
51 mins: Lacazette spins away from Sissoko and makes his way into the box, before trying to play in Smith Rowe but Nkoulou reads the danger and clears.
49 mins: Once again, Arsenal have started brighter. Lokonga has tested Foster but an opener still eludes the hosts.
47 mins: Some Danny Rose chat ...
“Did Rose’s attempted challenge for the penalty remind anyone else of that photo of Boris Johnson playing rugby with the school kid or just me?” asks Thomas Stratford.
“Now also craving a peppermint tea… thanks for that btw, haha. Enjoy!” A fine tea it is.
“Hey Will,” says David Singleton, “all I have to go on is your minute by minute, so can you explain how Rose is still on the pitch nevermind not even booked yet?”
Poor refereeing, mainly.
Second half!
Here we go again!
Got myself a peppermint tea, so I am pretty pumped for the second half.
Other scores ...
Everton 0-0 Spurs
Leeds 1-1 Leicester
Mary Waltz says: “Nothing to report on the Conte v Rafa battle, cautious, dull football by both. Every notice of a manager being axed and seeing the possible replacements makes me happy we got Rafa.”
“There have been some controversial sackings in the Premier league so far this season, do you think that any of the recently sacked managers shouldn’t have been given p45?” asks Bogdan Kotarlic.
The Dean Smith one seems a bit harsh but it is hard to survive losing five games on the trot.
Half-time! Arsenal 0-0 Watford
It looked early on like Arsenal would have their way with Watford but the visitors have recovered from a tough opening 15 minutes, even if they are a little lucky to be level after giving away the penalty.
45 mins: Three minutes added on.
43 mins: Rose fouls Lacazette once again, as the defender cynically trips the striker but the referee feels a free-kick is punishment enough. Smith Rowe sends a high ball into the box which is cleared. It comes back into the box for Tomiyasu to attack but Rose beats him to it.
Saka swings in the corner to the back post where Gabriel is waiting to head goalwards, only to see Foster’s leg block the ball on the line.
41 mins: Kucka drives through Arsenal’s midfield and gets a shot off from the edge of the box but it takes a deflection and goes just wide. The subsequent corner is well worked, ending with Rose firing a shot off from 12 yards but it blocked just in front of Ramsdale.
39 mins: Arsenal are struggling to get into a rhythm following their promising start to the game. Their moves do not seem to be flowing as Arteta would wish, with the pace down compared to recent performances.
37 mins: Kucka is the latest man to need some treatment for some ailment or other.
PENALTY SAVED! Aubameyang
35 mins: The Arsenal skipper pings it towards Foster’s right but the Watford goalkeeper sticks out and arms to save it, before grabbing hold.
Updated
34 mins: PENALTY! Saka swings in a free-kick from the right flank but a Watford head clears it. The ball lands on Tavares’ boot, allowing him to take one of the worst shots in history but conveniently for Arsenal it loops up in the air where Lacazette is waiting to the control the ball but he does not get the chance as Rose cleans him out.
Updated
32 mins: Kucka is carded for going through Lacazette. We’ve already had four yellow cards in this game.
GOAL! Harvey Barnes equalises for Leicester at Leeds.
30 mins: Smith Rowe lifts the ball into the box from deep, which Aubameyang sees as a chance to perform an acrobatic overhwad kick but he kicks Cathcart in the chest rather than making contact with the ball.
Down the other end, Tomiyasu goes into the book for fouling Sarr.
28 mins: Rose kicks Saka in the heel when challenging for a bouncing ball, leaving the Arsenal man in a heap but he gets up and limps away.
Goal at Elland Road where Raphinha has given Leeds the lead over Leicester.
26 mins: Watford have also taken the sting out of Arsenal’s attacks after the hosts’ bright start.
24 mins: Watford have now strung a few passes together, which is good news for this match as a contest. Dennis drives at the Arsenal defence but Saka sees him off with some cunning and a little bit of physicality.
22 mins: Dennis needs treatment for something or other relating to his buttock/hamstring. Play restarts with a Watford free-kick but it is easily cleared by the Arsenal defence.
Just in case you are wondering: Everton 0-0 Spurs, Leeds 0-0 Leicester
20 mins: Saka gets round the back of the Watford defence and pings a cross into the box but it is too powerful for anyone to get on the end of. The ball goes back into the area and Aubameyang goes down under pressure but nothing is doing for the Gabonese striker.
Watford get the ball clear, with Kucka and Lokonga ending up grappling on the floor, resulting in a booking for the Arsenal man.
18 mins: Dennis and Lacazette both hit the turf after the Watford man performs a tackle. The Frenchman gets up first and Dennis follows soon after, following a spell holding his buttock.
16 mins: Lokonga tries a first time shot from 25 yards without any pace nor direction. Unsurprisingly, it trickles wide.
14 mins: Watford have not strung two passes together yet. I will estimate that Arsenal have enjoyed roughly 90% possession. A long ball is pinged over the top for Sarr to chase but it bounces into the arms of Ramsdale. It is not glorious stuff from Watford.
12 mins: Femenia is now moaning about the reward of a corner to Arsenal, as he does not think he touched the ball last. Smith Rowe sends it in but a Hornet head does the business.
10 mins: King goes into the book for backing into Gabriel. The Brazilian goes down like a sack of spuds, claiming he is elbowed but nothing of the sort has happened.
8 mins: NO GOAL! A neat ball from Maitland-Niles finds Lacazette in the box, he chips a shot towards goal, which Foster tips to the side onto Aubameyang’s foot, he miscontrols it into Saka’s path, who neatly finishes. Luckily for Watford, Foster is in front of Saka when he receives the ball, ruling the England man offside.
Updated
6 mins: Femenia overlaps down the right but his brushed aside by Tavares, as Arsenal win a goal kick, much to the Spaniard’s annoyance as he thinks the Portuguese got the final touch.
Updated
4 mins: Smith Rowe swings in a corner from the left but it is headed clear, allowing Watford to break out but things breakdown near the halfway line. Watford have nine outfield players sitting very deep, absorbing pressure when they defend. This could be a long day for them.
2 mins: Arsenal have had all of the ball in the opening stages. They look confident in possession, not feeling the need to rush things.
Kick-off!
Peep! Peep! Peep! Here we go!
Arsenal and Watford are paying their respects as this is the Gunners’ closest home game to Armistice Day. Mikel Arteta and Claudio Ranieri have laid wreaths next to the pitch, followed by a reading from Bob Wilson and minute’s silence.
I can imagine Lampard sending his cover note to Aston Villa and forgetting to change the top from ‘To Delia Smith’.
Lampard, Big Sam, Hodgson. I am sure it will be an underwhelming appointment but all mid-table ones are.
@Will_Unwin Who will Villa get in? Surely the scene is set for the most typically Newcastle managerial search to step up a level by Eddie Howie turning them down and choosing Villa instead?
— Bob_Helpful (@Bob_Helpful) November 7, 2021
“Flutterings of fear in the Arsenal fan dovecots,” says Charles Antaki. “The loss of Partey has not gone down well, with confidence in Ainsley Maitland-Niles provisional at best; certainly his athleticism is valued, and he runs about pleasingly, but he’s not known for the creative pass, and he has a tendency to lose the ball in daft places. So, expectations down and anxieties up.”
And what a seat it is.
Great to see you in the seat, @Will_Unwin. Exciting match! The Arsenal could move up to fifth, within six points of the mighty Chelsea. Quite an achievement when you consider they gave everybody a nine point head start. Play up!
— William Hargreaves (@billhargreaves) November 7, 2021
Aston Villa CEO Christian Purslow said: “When Dean joined us in October 2018 our team was really struggling in The Championship. He immediately transformed the atmosphere and performances and achieved the ultimate success of leading Villa back to the Premier League within the same season - a rare feat.
“He then secured our place in the Premier League after a tough campaign and took us to a Cup Final at Wembley.
“However, after a good start to last season, this year we have not seen the continuous improvement in results, performances and league position which we have all been looking for. For this reason we have decided to make a change now to allow time for a new head coach to make an impact.
“The Board would like to sincerely thank Dean for his many excellent achievements, on and off the pitch, during this time. Everyone knows how much Aston Villa means to Dean and his family. He has represented the Club with distinction and dignity - universally liked and respected by everybody associated with Aston Villa – our staff, players and supporters alike. We wish him the very best.”
Aston Villa have sacked Dean Smith. Who will they bring in?
Ranieri is going 4-3-3.
Happy with how we're lining up at the Emirates Stadium? 💭#ARSWAT pic.twitter.com/xsUe9thKin
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) November 7, 2021
Everton also kick off at 2pm. Andy Hunter looks at their current issues.
Updated
Thomas Partey has a groin strain, just in case you are wondering about his absence.
The great man, Nick Ames, looks at another great man in the form of Aaron Ramsdale.
Tavares keeps his place for Arsenal, with the returning Tierney having to settle for a place on a comfy chair next to the pitch. Maitland-Niles also gets a rare Premier League outing in the centre of midfield.
Starting lineups
Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tavares, Lokonga, Maitland-Niles, Smith Rowe, Saka, Aubameyang, Lacazette.
Subs: Leno, Tierney, Odegaard, Holding, Soares, Pepe, Elneny, Nketiah, Martinelli.
Watford: Foster, Femenia, Nkoulou, Cathcart, Rose, Sissoko, Tufan, Kucka, Sarr, Dennis, King
Subs: Bachmann, Ngakia, Troost-Ekong, Cleverley, Joao Pedro, Masina, Fletcher, Hernandez, Sierralta
Good afternoon
Arsenal are back … well they’ve won a few games in impressive style, at least. Their defence looks unified and competent, something they have not been able to boast for quite a while. They are unbeaten since their 5-0 drubbing at Manchester City and could end the day in fifth spot as Mikel Arteta begins to earn some kudos for his role in transforming the Gunners.
Aaron Ramsdale was brought into the side after the Etihad shellacking and his form has been a key reason behind the turnaround for Arsenal. Against Leicester he made a number of important saves as he continues to prove himself Bernd Leno’s superior, showing those who questioned his signing (like me) that he is a top quality goalkeeper.
Watford have enjoyed an intriguing start under Claudio Ranieri, losing 5-0 to Liverpool at Vicarage Road, beating Everton 5-2 away and then being edged 1-0 by Southampton at home. It was an intriguing appointment at the time but early inconsistencies do not fill many with confidence that Ranieri is the the right man to turn around the fortunes at Watford in the short or long term.
Let’s hope for a cracker!
Kick-off: 2pm
