Confirmed line-ups: Watford vs Arsenal – Saka starts, no Smith Rowe

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Arsenal will be looking for a win to close-in on the top four when we take on Watford at Vicarage Road this afternoon.

Unfortunately, Emile Smith Rowe is once again missing from the squad today. The attacker missed Arsenal’s win over Wolves 10 days ago due to illness but trained last week so was expected to be back in contention. However, Smith Rowe has now been ruled out after testing positive for covid.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is also not fit enough to start once again as he continues to overcoming a niggling groin injury. Cedric Soares keeps his place at right-back and hopefully he can continue his recent form.

Kieran Tierney keeps his place at left-back ahead of Nuno Tavares while Ben White and Gabriel start in the middle of Arsenal’s back four. Rob Holding has to make do with a place on the bench once again.

Thomas Partey anchors the midfield again this afternoon and hopefully the Ghana international puts-in another dominant performance in the middle of the park.  Granit Xhaka also keeps his place along with Martin Odegaard in central midfield so Mo Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga have to make do with places on the Arsenal bench.

There is no change in attack either with Bukayo Saka once again lining-up on the right flank. Nicolas Pepe impressed when he came on against Wolves last time out but he remains on the bench this afternoon.

Alexandre Lacazette leads the line up front so Eddie Nketiah is a sub again, while Gabriel Martinelli continues on the left flank with Smith Rowe missing out. Youngsters Zak Swanson and Omari Hutchinson are named on the bench as well.

These are the teams for the game:

Watford

Foster, Femenia, Cathcart, Samir, Kamara, Cleverley, Louza, Sissoko, Dennis, Pedro, Hernandez

Subs: Bachmann, Etebo, Masina, Sema, Kabasele, Kalu, Sierralta, Kucka, Kayembe.

Arsenal

Ramsdale, Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey, Xhaka, Saka, Ødegaard, Martinelli, Lacazette.

Subs: Leno, Holding, Pépé, Tavares, Lokonga, Elneny, Nketiah, Swanson, Hutchinson.

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