Arsenal host FA cup conqueror Watford in the continuation of EPL week 32 . Win may still keep the hope of winning EPL alive.
TEAM NEWS
Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech could return to
face Watford after a five-match absence with a
calf problem.
Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky are back in full
training but will not be involved, while Aaron
Ramsey, Santi Cazorla and Alex Oxlade-
Chamberlain also remain absent.
Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores is set to
continue with a similar starting line-up for the
trip to north London.
Joel Ekstrand is still lacking match fitness and
Tommie Hoban remains out.
MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Steve Bower: "I watched Arsenal at Everton last
time out and felt their supporters' frustration.
"The team's attitude and work rate was
excellent, they were sharp and clinical going
forward and resolute in defence. The problem is
that they haven't produced it often and
consistently enough.
"Ultimately that's why they will look back at this
season as their best chance in recent times of
being title winners.
"They have to maintain the standard they
showed at Goodison Park to stay on track for
Champions League qualification.
"A repeat of the recent FA Cup home defeat by
Watford would raise a few eyebrows given the
visitors' recent league form, but the Hornets can
look forward to another season in the top flight
and an FA Cup semi-final, already a notable
achievement."
Twitter: @SteveBowercomm
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "If we win all
eight games, we have more than a chance to win
the league.
"We are depending on Leicester City, and
nobody knows how they will go in their last
seven games. The stress becomes bigger but
Leicester are in a very strong position at the
moment. They can still lose it. The only way we
can achieve that is with us performing.
"What is important is that we play our eight
games with complete commitment and passion,
and see where we finish."
Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores: "I
want to think that we are not safe because it is
our ambition to win every single game.
"This should be the team's ambition. At the
moment they maybe have the feeling they are in
standby (mode) because it is the last month and
we are in a comfortable position and I do not
like that.
"We need to recuperate our energy, the energy
we usually have."
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Watford's 2-1 FA Cup victory at Arsenal in
March ended a run of six successive defeats
in this fixture, including all five Premier
League encounters.
The Gunners have never lost twice at home
to Watford in the same season. It is 28 years
since they were beaten home and away by
the Hornets across all competitions in a
single campaign.
Arsenal
Arsenal won for only the second time in nine
competitive matches when they beat Everton
in their most recent fixture (W2, D2, L5).
The Gunners have scored just six goals in
their last eight home games in all
competitions, averaging 25 shots for each
goal scored.
They have not led at half-time in any of their
last 10 matches at the Emirates Stadium.
Mesut Ozil has provided 18 assists in the
Premier League this season - but only two
have come in the last 10 league matches.
Watford
Watford have suffered three straight league
defeats. They have won just two of their last
13 matches in the division, keeping two
clean sheets in that period (W2, D3, L8).
They have lost four of their last five away
games in the league, all without scoring a
goal.
The Hornets have recovered two points from
losing positions in the Premier League this
season, the fewest in the division.
All but seven of Watford's 30 Premier
League goals this season have been scored
by either Odion Ighalo or Troy Deeney
(77%).
However, Ighalo has only scored once in 11
league appearances in 2016.
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