Arsenal will look to return to winning ways when they visit Vicarage Road to face Watford on Sunday. The Gunners have failed to win their last two matches albeit against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. They are currently fifth in the league table, but a win could potentially help them overtake Leicester City and Crystal Palace.
Here is how Unai Emery’s men might line-up in this fascinating encounter against the Hornets on Sunday.
Formation: 4-3-3
Defence
Arsenal have confirmed that both Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney are expected to return to training in September. Rob Holding, meanwhile, has already returned to training. However, none of these three defenders will feature against Watford, along with Dinos Mavropanos, who is suffering from a groin problem.
Bellerin and Tierney’s absence means the duo of Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sead Kolasinac will continue to feature as fullbacks. Kolasinac, in particular, will seek to make an impression in his bid to become Arsenal’s number one left-back.
David Luiz is a guaranteed starter in central defence, though things could get complicated when Holding comes back to full fitness. Nonetheless, the Brazilian will be partnered by Sokratis Papastathopoulos at the heart of Arsenal’s four-man backline.
And finally, Bernd Leno will start in between the sticks for Arsenal in this encounter. The German is currently the undisputed number one ‘keeper for the Gunners.
Midfield
Both Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira faced potential injury concerns during the international break. But the club has confirmed that they will be in contention to start against Watford this weekend.
Xhaka is a guaranteed starter in central midfield, along with Matteo Guendouzi, who has arguably been the club’s best player so far this season. The Frenchman’s urgency and work-ethic would be pivotal as Arsenal look to dominate the opposition.
Xhaka and Guendouzi will be partnered by Torreira, who is likely to get the nod ahead of Dani Ceballos. But, we could expect the Spaniard to make a substitute appearance in the second half.
Attack
Emery will likely persist with the 4-3-3, with Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang featuring as the two wide attackers. Aubameyang, however, is expected to drift into a central role and join forces with Alexandre Lacazette.
Lacazette was one of the best performers in the draw with Tottenham Hotspur and will once again be key against Watford this weekend. Reiss Nelson will provide Emery with an additional option in attack.
