Mirror
Arsenal prolonged their unbeaten Premier League run to eight games after a nervy 1-0 win over Watford at the Emirates Stadium
Bukayo Saka thought he had put the Gunners ahead inside 10 minutes, only to see his goal ruled out for offside, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a chance to give them a half-time lead when he sent his penalty too close to Ben Foster.
The breakthrough finally arrived shortly before the hour mark, with Emile Smith Rowe ‘s low shot beating Foster, and only an offside flag against Aubameyang denied the home side a second with just under 20 minutes remaining.
There was a late let-off, with Joshua King rounding Aaron Ramsdale but failing to hit the target from a tight angle, but Arsenal were able to close out the game after the visitors’ Juraj Kucka was sent off for a second booking.
1. Smith Rowe and White show Gareth Southgate what he’s missing
When England’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers was announced, plenty of Arsenal fans expressed their surprise at the absence of two of their players.
Emile Smith Rowe has been in a rich vein of form of late, while Ben White has helped stabilise a defence which started the season with some worrying performances, but Gareth Southgate opted to leave both men out of his squad.
Not only did Smith Rowe break Watford’s resistance after a frustrating first half, but he did so thanks to a penetrating run from White to set up the chance.
The goal made Smith Rowe only the fourth Arsenal player aged 21 or under to score in three straight Premier League games, and it would be a surprise to see him and White miss out next time if they’re still playing like this.
2. Maitland-Niles making his case
Ainsley Maitland-Niles stepped in with Thomas Partey sidelined through injury, and the academy talent showed from the get-go that he was up for the game.
it was his interception and pinpoint through-ball which created an opportunity for Bukayo Saka’s early disallowed goal,
It wouldn’t be the first time a midfielder has returned from the wilderness to reestablish himself in the first-team – just ask Francis Coquelin – and he’ll hope the performance boosts his chance of involvement even when Arsenal are at full-strength…
