Ozil strikes late as Arsenal dispatch fighting Watford

Arsenal scored twice in the last nine minutes to overcome in-form Watford and record their seventh straight win in all competitions.

With 10 minutes to go it appeared that the fourth-placed Hornets, with wins over Tottenham and Manchester United this season, would frustrate another Premier League giant.

But that was until the introduction of Alex Iwobi midway through the second half at Emirates Stadium.

The Nigerian’s driven low ball from the right resulted in Arsenal’s opener, inadvertently turned in by Watford’s Craig Cathcart.

Two minutes later Iwobi was involved in a one-two with Alexandre Lacazette, who delivered a low cross for Mesut Ozil to sidefoot home.

With the game goalless, Arsenal substitute keeper Bernd Leno made a great one-handed save to deny Andre Gray, while Issac Success fired narrowly wide of the far post.

Patience pays off for Emery’s Arsenal

Is now the right time to make a judgement on the impact of new Arsenal manager Unai Emery?

They have won five games in a row in the league and even Ozil has rediscovered his scoring touch, with his first league goal since December 2017.

Emery, who replaced long-time servant Arsene Wenger in the summer, made two key tactical decisions against Watford, bringing on Iwobi for Aaron Ramsey and sticking by Lacazette in attack.

Ramsey, who looks to be heading for the exit, shook his head as he was replaced by Iwobi in the 63rd minute. The Wales player failed to influence the game, while Iwobi added pace to midfield to complement the speed of Arsenal’s front two on the break.

It was from two swift attacks that Arsenal broke the deadlock. Iwobi first sped down the left before delivering a cross that the unfortunate Cathcart converted under pressure from Lacazette.

Arsenal caught out Watford again moments later, Ozil capping a move that was typical of those created during the pomp of Wenger’s reign.

Before the goals, Lacazette was the biggest threat on the pitch, but he wasted two good chances – a one-on-one with keeper Ben Foster and a header over the bar from eight yards.

However, Emery stuck by Lacazette – a £46.5m signing in 2017 – and he played a big part in the two goals.

Courtesy-BBC