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Confirmed line-ups: Arsenal vs Watford: Pepe & Willock start for Gunners

By on July 26, 2020

nicolas pepe arsenal

Arsenal wrap-up a disastrous Premier League campaign when we take on Watford at the Emirates this afternoon.

Boss Mikel Arteta has handed a recall to Ainsley Maitland-Niles as he starts at right-back today in what appears to be a back four for Arsenal. Kieran Tierney comes in at left-back with Sead Kolasinac making way.

Emi Martinez keeps his place in goal as Bernd Leno continues to recover from a knee injury and Rob Holding starts alongside David Luiz in defence with Shkodran Mustafi ruled out for the final two games with a hamstring injury.

Granit Xhaka starts in midfield alongside Joe Willock and Dani Ceballos while Nicolas Pepe also starts in attack. Surprisingly, Arteta has started both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette so neither player is rested ahead of the FA Cup final.

Lucas Torreira is named among the substitutes for Arsenal while Reiss Nelson is back in the squad after missing the Villa game with a groin problem. Bukayo Saka is on the bench along with Cedric Soares and Sokratis.

Hector Bellerin isn’t in the squad as he’s been left out as a precaution due to a tight calf.

These are the teams for the game:

Arsenal

Martinez, Maitland-Niles, Holding, Luiz, Tierney, Ceballos, Xhaka, Willock, Pepe, Aubameyang, Lacazette.

Subs: Papastathopoulos, Torreira, Cedric, Nelson, Nketiah, Kolasinac, Macey, Smith, Saka

Watford

Foster; Kiko Femenía, Kabasele, Dawson, Masina; Doucouré, Hughes; Sarr, Pereyra, Welbeck; Deeney.

Subs: Gomes, Mariappa, Cleverley, Chalobah, Cathcart, Joao Pedro, Gray, Quina, Pussetto