Arsenal are aiming to maintain their push for a top-four finish as they take on Watford on Sunday. The Gunners are currently enjoying an excellent run of form, having won all of their last three matches. Their most recent victory came against Wolves, and another three points this weekend could potentially see them enter the top five.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Watford
Defence
Takehiro Tomiyasu hasn’t had a great start to the year so far and remains Arsenal’s only real absentee for the time being. His absence does create a massive void at right-back and the onus will once again be on Cedric Soares to deputise him on the right-hand side of the four-man backline.
Elsewhere in defence, Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes remain guaranteed starters at the heart of the four-man backline. Their understanding could be crucial as the Gunners take on a Watford side that certainly have some bit going forward.
Kieran Tierney is another favourite to start at left-back, whereas there is no looking past Aaron Ramsdale in goal as Mikel Arteta continues with a similar defence that started against Wolves at the end of last month.
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Midfield
Arteta shouldn’t have to deal with any injury-related absentee in midfield, which means he will have the luxury of persisting with the double-pivot of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey. The two have been quite solid in recent weeks and will hope to maintain a similar level of performance against Watford.
Albert Sambi Lokonga is a potential alternative, while Martin Odegaard can drop deep if required. The latter, though, is likely to operate as a number ten and will be a key creative outlet for the north London giants this weekend.
Attack
As for the attacking unit, Alexandre Lacazette is the undisputed leader of the Arsenal frontline. The Frenchman is hoping to extend his goalscoring tally against the Hornets, knowing a solid end to the season could earn him a contract extension at Emirates.
Elsewhere, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are the two favourites to occupy the wide attacking roles. Emile Smith Rowe is another option but the youngster is a doubt for this match. Nicolas Pepe, to that end, remains the primary alternative for the wide attackers while Eddie Nketiah is an option for the number nine role.
