Watford vs Arsenal. Premier League.
Vicarage RoadAttendance20,545.
Saturday 27 August 2016 15:16, UK
Mesut Ozil could make his first start for Arsenal this season as they go to Watford looking for their first Premier League win.
The Germany international came off the bench in last weekend's draw at Leicester, but Arsene Wenger, who has eased his players back following their Euro 2016 exertions, has said he could play from the start at Vicarage Road, although Olivier Giroud is unlikely to be recalled.
Watford are also without a win, following a draw at Southampton and home defeat by Chelsea, and the fixtures do not get any easier for Walter Mazzarri's side.
The visit of Arsenal is followed by fixtures with West Ham and Manchester United amid a difficult start in English football for the Italian, and Mazzarri joked he would watch Wenger's preparations from Watford's training ground next door.
"We will watch them (over the fence) and they will us," he said.
Team news
Aaron Ramsey (hamstring), Alex Iwobi (thigh), Per Mertesacker, Danny Welbeck and Carl Jenkinson (all knee) are still missing for Arsenal.
Watford's new signings Daryl Janmaat, Younes Kaboul and Roberto Pereyra are unlikely to start at Vicarage Road.
Along with the fit-again Isaac Success they are in contention, but Mazzarri is not expected to make many changes to the team that last week lost 2-1 to Chelsea.
He rotated his squad for Tuesday's 2-1 EFL Cup defeat by Gillingham, but the Italian spoke of those selected against Chelsea deserving another chance.
Watford have lost all six of their games against Arsenal in the Premier League, although they did beat the Gunners last season in an FA Cup quarter final match (2-1).
Arsenal have won seven of their last eight matches against Watford in all competitions (L1).
Indeed, Watford haven't beaten Arsenal in league competition since a 1-0 win in April 1988, courtesy a goal from Rick Holden.
Watford have been leading at some point in each of their two Premier League matches this season, but have claimed just a point from these games (W0 D1 L1).
Etienne Capoue has scored in both of Watford's Premier League games this season - no Watford player has scored in each of their opening three top-flight matches within a season.
Arsenal have collected one point from their opening two Premier League matches of 2016-17; their lowest tally at this stage since 2011-12 (also one point).
The Gunners' lowest points tally after three Premier League matches in a season is one point, also set in 2011-12. They finished that season in third place.
It's a must-win game for Arsenal already. If they don't win this game they could be seven points behind the top teams. That's it isn't it?
Watford were unlucky against Chelsea when they were the better team for long spells and I wouldn't be shocked if they got a point.
But I think Arsenal will edge it this weekend - they have to win. If I had said at the start of the season I will have Man Utd, Man City and Chelsea and you have Arsenal with a seven-point deficit, even the most staunch Arsenal fan wouldn't take that bet.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)
Arsenal are the 7/10 favourites with Sky Bet as Watford go up against odds of 4/1 for the win and 13/5 to hold the Gunners to a draw.
The Gunners' winless start has seen them drift out to 10/1 to win the title, although they're still odds-on for another top-four finish at 8/11. Olivier Giroud heads the first goalscorer betting at 7/2 following by Alexis Sanchez (4/1), while Troy Deeney is considered the hosts' main threat at 13/2.
